Want to Retain Top Talent? You Need to Put Employee Mental Health First

Mental well-being continues to be a significant concern within numerous companies. The 2024 Workforce State of Mind Report by Headspace reveals that 47% of employees and two-thirds of CEOs attribute the majority, if not all, of their stress to their professional responsibilities. Moreover, a striking 77% of respondents acknowledge that stress from work adversely affects their health.

For organizations to retain top diverse talent, as well as to enhance productivity and engagement, it’s crucial for leadership to make employee mental health a key focus. This involves conducting a thorough culture assessment, identifying aspects of the work environment that may be sapping morale, and providing teams and individuals with essential tools and support to manage mental health issues effectively.

4 Strategies for Addressing Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace

Companies that build positive cultures based on strong values have happier and healthier employees. Creating psychologically safe workspaces, devoid of fear, reduces stress and elevates engagement. Providing access to health and wellness resources also empowers employees to place a greater emphasis on self-care.

As a leader, postponing cultural transformations is not a sustainable option. If you’re seeking actionable advice on enhancing your team’s mental health, consider exploring these four strategies to initiate positive changes.

1. Encourage Mental Resilience Habits

Work with your employees on how to build better habits. Motivate your team to take regular breaks throughout their workday and to use reminders to maintain hydration. It’s common to overlook the profound effects that poor habits can have on our stress levels, concentration, and overall productivity. Unhealthy practices among employees can significantly detract from their work performance.

Consider implementing a corporate wellness program to emphasize the significance of health and wellness within the professional sphere.

2. Introduce Resources to Support Self Care

Along these lines, providing your employees access to self-care tools, such as the Arootah Habit Coach app and mental health webinars can go a long way. Apps can be more effective than you think in supporting sustainable self-care habits. In fact, Mental Health America noted that certain apps are just as effective as traditional face-to-face talk therapy, in helping people manage mental health problems.

3. Invest in Coaching

Coaching initiatives — from life coaching to career coaching to health coaching — offer a wealth of advantages for your team. Coaches engage with individuals, guiding them to craft a tailored roadmap to success that aligns with their unique aspirations and obstacles. This kind of support can be much more impactful than offering generic mental health resources that may not address specific needs.

Research conducted by the International Coaching Federation has demonstrated that wellness-focused coaching programs can lead to a reduction in stress levels. Furthermore, the benefits of coaching, including diminished stress, have been shown to persist for up to nine months following the program, attributable to the valuable skills and social support that individuals acquire during the coaching experience.

4. Implement Holistic Wellness Programs

Lastly, ensure that your organization’s health and wellness programs are both comprehensive and inclusive. Introduce holistic programs focused on the physical, mental, and emotional needs of employees that also account for health disparities underrepresented groups face.

While there is an up-front cost for corporate wellness programs, there is also a high ROI. As the Society for Human Resource Management notes, by implementing supportive wellness programs in your organization, you’ll see lower healthcare costs, increased productivity, and heightened employee engagement.

The Bottom Line

Employees continue to face mental health obstacles that hinder their ability to perform at their best. By providing essential tools and resources, and fostering a positive shift in your company’s culture, you can start addressing their mental health requirements today.

Want to learn more? Check out Arootah’s corporate wellness programs and see how your organization could benefit from our years of experience promoting corporate wellness in the finance industry.