Mental health issues are among the most significant concerns affecting employee performance. The American Psychological Association conducted a survey in 2023 regarding the priority of this problem for employers. It came with some shocking results. The stats claimed that merely 43% of employees working in a workplace get mental health insurance. Nevertheless, they get insurance for health issues coverage, which they find insufficient. This is a prime example of a gap in how employers support their employees and to what extent they consider mental health challenges a problem. Workplace wellness programs are fundamental in providing mental health support to employees.
In this article, we shall examine the benefits of investing in employee mental health and how it assists in fetching success for an organization.
Employee Mental Health Programs
Employee wellness programs, also known as employee mental health wellness programs, refer to exhaustive plans that include psychologists and psychiatrists. These mental health specialists provide workers with therapy, meditation and wellness retreats.
It believes in the fact that no one solution fits all! Instead, they use different approaches for different workers. Consistent therapies and medication (when required) improve employees’ mental health.
Benefits of Investing In Employee Mental Health
Investing in employee mental health programs means paying for the mental well-being of the workers. In today’s time and age, where most organizations prefer switching from old working methods to state-of-the-art equipment, others are taking a strategic move. They put their money into the well-being of the mental health of the employees working for them. The comprehensive mental health support they provide their workers directly affects the employees’ motivation. As a result, this leads to better output for the organization with extensive profit margins.
Here are some key benefits of this investment:
1. Augmenting the Productivity Level Of Employees
The most significant benefit these employee wellness programs provide is the augmented and improved productivity of the workers. A lot of times, the constant work and never-ending challenges cause stress and burnout. They affect the working capacity of the workers, leading to increased anxiety and strain. The Psychologists who help workers bring work-life balance back on track and manage stress assist in focusing on work and improving efficiency at work.
With more reasonable and improved decision-making aptitudes, employees can improve their performances and be more engaged at work. This further translates into enhanced productivity and better accomplishments.
2. Lesser Absenteeism
Employees who have their mental health affected and are caged in psychological problems end up being absent from work repeatedly. They either call for sick leave or tend to leave the workplace altogether. All this occurs owing to the poor mental health they have to deal with.
In order to reduce the number of absenteeism, which impacts the organization’s overall productivity, psychologists help employees perform to their best without having to call in sick at the workplace.
Psychologists and psychiatrists who are a part of these employee wellness programs help the workers learn how to manage their over-powering targets and workplace stress. They are a great source of satisfaction for employees.
With lower absenteeism comes improved productivity as all the workers perform their duties with utmost dedication. The best outcome of this is the greatest possible ROI, return on investment. All the money an organization puts into bringing together an employee wellness program for the workers gives massive payback in return.
3. Ensure Retention of Employees
There is no more enormous loss for an organization than the resignation letter of a skilled employee. Recruiting a new employee, providing him with basic training, and ensuring his top-notch performance takes time, energy, and resources.
The biggest reason for an employee’s resignation is his dissatisfaction with the workplace. Psychologists help them regain confidence in their workplace and reduce the turnover rate of the workers.
These employee well-being programs make the workers feel valued and prioritized. The fact that the employer gives importance to their mental health makes them understand their worth. When employee retention augments, the productivity of the workplace automatically improves.
4. Gives The Workplace A Positive Culture
An organization’s culture is the shared behavior, values, and beliefs of the workplace. A culture that exudes positivity and optimism tends to support the employees. On the other hand, a toxic work culture negatively impacts workers’ productivity, leading to a downfall in the overall motivation of employees and increasing the number of people resigning.
Employee assistance programs bring a sense of positivity to the workplace. In a supportive environment, the work culture is full of hope.
5. Reduced Healthcare Expenditure
One of the biggest concerns for an organization is the cost it has to pay for regular health issues. A lot of times, the augmented mental health problems turn into physical health issues. For instance, constant depression and anxiety can finally lead to blood pressure issues and cardiovascular problems.
By investing in the mental health of employees, the employer can reduce the amount it has to pay for their physical health issues. By dealing with mental concerns on time, long-term physical health problems can easily be avoided.
6. Improves Company’s Branding
Employees no longer run after organizations that pay them hefty salaries every month. Instead, they now opt for enterprises that let them thrive in a positive work environment. Organizations that provide their employees with all the possible chances of mental health improvement are indeed a desirable option for individuals looking for employees.
These programs refine the image of organizations and provide them with a positive brand image. Places where the workers can discuss their mental health problems openly without fearing the stigmas attached to them are worth joining for the employees.
Final Thoughts
Investing in employee mental health programs is a good investment for the organizations. It is not only the moral duty of a workplace employer to provide a positive work culture to the individuals working for it, but it is also a great strategy. SehatYab is one of the leading online platforms providing enterprise employee wellness programs. Online psychiatrists in Pakistan working with it play a massive role in helping employees improve their mental health and raise their motivation. They include therapies and medications. Alongside this, employee training, workshops on managing work-life balance, and seminars on bringing work-life balance back on track are major elements of its program.