May is mental health awareness month, and support in the workplace is needed more now than ever before. The number of stressors employees experience has increased. In contrast, the separation between our personal and business lives has decreased due to working remotely for the last two years, causing employee burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression. It’s also affecting an organization’s bottom line and impacts retention, morale, and productivity. Companies must now offer mental health benefits and programs, while leadership teams must lead by example and break the stigma.This week, we’re looking at why supporting mental health in the workplace is essential. 

Mental Health Survey: Businesses Increase Employee Mental Health Support, But Workers Are Still Struggling

According to a new survey conducted by The Conference Board, 84 percent of respondents say they can’t stop thinking about work. Half report their mental health has deteriorated since the pandemic. On a positive note, the study reveals that companies are increasing their focus on the mental health of their workers. The availability of organizational programs to support employee well-being increased 22 percent last year. But is that enough? Learn more about the survey, where respondents weighed in on mental health, work-life boundaries, management, etc.

Mental Health at Work: It’s (Finally) Time to Talk About It

We’ve seen athletes and entertainers speak out about their struggles with mental health in the news but rarely see business leaders doing the same. There is still a stigma with revealing personal vulnerability within the workplace. The pandemic has caused workers to experience record levels of burnout, anxiety, and depression—and we’re now seeing signs of change. Companies are starting to make mental health benefits more accessible and discuss how company culture affects employees’ sense of well-being. Fast Company brought together business leaders that have been open about mental health struggles as well as advocates for a round table discussion about mental health in the workplace. 

​​How To Create A Workplace That Supports Employee Mental Health

There is an opportunity to reimagine the workplace with hybrid work here to stay and the Great Resignation still underway. Working from home due to the pandemic caused the separation between work and life to blur. A growing number of leadership teams finally recognize employee mental health as a business imperative. This presents an enormous opportunity to make the workforce feel more productive, resilient, and supported by focusing on mental health and well-being as part of the culture. 

Future Of Work: 9 Mental Health Predictions In The Post-Pandemic Workplace

A March 2022 poll conducted by the American Psychological Association suggests that Americans are in “survival mode” due to reports of high-stress levels caused by inflation, the ongoing pandemic, and the crisis in Ukraine. Employees have been dealing with stress and uncertainty for over two years. Companies must provide support and stress management at work. Managing this overwhelming feeling of global uncertainty and day-to-day tasks can lead to burnout, affecting employee morale, productivity, and the company’s bottom line. Here are nine mental health predictions to expect in the post-pandemic workplace to support today’s employee well-being.