The need for mental health in the workplace is growing, and wellness programs are being developed to support employee wellbeing. As work-related variables can adversely affect mental health, employees can also persuade companies to provide mental health programs. Assistance with mental health in the workplace is now more important than ever.
Well, This writing explains the Statistics and Surveys done on Mental Health, Before diving in, Let us outline what is Mental Health.
What is Mental Health?
Employees’ emotional, behavioral, and social well-being in a communal work environment is called “mental health in the workplace.”
Without adequate support, mental illnesses and other mental health concerns can have an impact on a person’s ability to work successfully, ability to manage absences, and ease of retaining or obtaining employment. Depression and anxiety alone cost the world 12 billion working days annually.
Mental Health of Employees as per Surveys:
To make it simpler for more individuals to get mental health services, the Biden administration released a proposed regulation in July that would increase the need that insurance companies to give coverage for mental health in the same way that they execute for physical health.
Companies should be aware of this since many employees rely on the assistance provided by their companies’ mental health insurance. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), 81% of those surveyed responded that when they search for a job in the future, they will prioritize environments that encourage mental health.
How can Employers promote the Mental Wellbeing of Employees?
Employers can help employees with their mental health in a multitude of ways. Time off options were the most frequently selected support (41% of workers), after a working environment that respects time off (34%), a chance to work remotely (33%), and a workweek that lasts four days (31%) when asked to choose from a list of a dozen potential support that they would prefer that employers offer.
95% of respondents whose employers permit remote work and flexible work hours said that these benefits of employee wellness programs are helpful supports.
Only 11% of respondents said that their company has employees who have taken mental health training on-site. But of those who stated their workplace did provide this help, 94% said it was effective, with 45% saying it was quite effective.
In a similar vein, 96% of those whose employers respect time off indicated that it is effective, and 63% said that it is incredibly effective, despite just 28% reporting that their workplace has a culture where time off is respected.
Statistical data on workplace wellness and mental health initiatives:
· According to the Peldon Rose survey, although 63% of employees believe their workplace is unhelpful, 72% of employees want their companies to support mental health and well-being.
· As per research by Alfac’s workforces, 70% of employees who participated in wellness programs said they were more satisfied with their jobs than those who did not.
· In 44% of cases, employers either enhanced or initiated wellness initiatives. According to the conduct surveys executed by PwC.
· 67% of employees with mental illnesses report that it is difficult to seek care, per a McKinsey and Co. survey.
As per the article in Times, There are 42 million Americans who experience mental, behavioral, or emotional issues, with 20 million struggling with substance misuse and 9 million contemplating suicide. Financial tension, job insecurity, and workplace stress all play a role in mental illness, which results in reduced productivity worth trillions of dollars.
Costs associated with mental illness are considerable for both society and organizations. However, it continues to be stigmatized, inadequately covered, and gravely undertreated. The possibility of effectively treating diseases like anxiety and depression has increased due to research advancements. Employers and governments should act promptly to implement these ideas and make individuals’ lives less disappointing for reasons that are both financial and humanistic.
Although the statistics are startling, they don’t provide a full picture. Individual employee mental health is challenging to measure, and the continuous difficulties brought on by the pandemic continue to affect and influence employee engagement, well-being, and thoughts.
Employees are equipped to successfully manage their emotions and stress when a mental health program is implemented. When employers provide employees with resilience abilities and well-being knowledge, they may better balance their personal and professional lives.
According to many research and Surveys, mindfulness improves employees’ physical and mental health by lowering stress and increasing happiness. Workplace connections, resilience, productivity at work, decision-making abilities, job satisfaction, encouragement, stress management, attention to detail, and employee engagement, are all improved by regular mindfulness programs which must be included in Corporate wellness programs.