Mental stress, mind pressure. Negative brain overload. Credit: Andrii Zastrozhnov/Adobe Stock
Although employees value workplace mental health resources and support from leadership, they often feel as if their needs are not being met, the latest poll from the National Alliance on Mental Illness revealed.
“These results show a high demand for mental health education and resources, with mental health challenges emerging across the workforce,” CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr. said. “But gaps persist -- in knowledge, access and comfort – that need to be addressed, not just for the benefit of the employees but for these organizations as a whole.”
More than 9 in 10 respondents say mental health care benefits are important in creating a positive workplace culture, which is nearly on par with how employees value health insurance. “With high rates of stress and burnout in the workplace, companies need to act as soon as possible to preserve the health of their employees and their business,” Gillison said.
The top five reasons for not discussing mental health at work are:
- Stigma or judgment around mental health;
- Lack of discussion from colleagues;
- Not wanting to appear weak;
- Fear of losing opportunities or retaliation; and
- Their job’s effect on mental health.
Only half of the workforce knows how to access mental health care through their employer-sponsored health insurance, and just more than 20% of respondents receive training about mental health conditions or symptoms at work. More than three-fourths of respondents report that further information or training would benefit their mental health and ability to support others’ mental health at work.
Although one-quarter of respondents said they don’t know whether their employer offers mental health care benefits, an employee assistance program, flexible work arrangements or sick days for mental health, more than 80% report that these benefits are or would be important to creating a positive workplace culture.
For those who received training about available mental health and/or resources, more than half said it helped them feel more comfortable talking about mental health with coworkers. This figure jumps to 65% for managers. Many employees and managers cite the value of offering training and mental health care benefits; providing general mental health education and resources; and discussing mental health at work.
“It takes a commitment for companies to implement mental health education and establish mental health benefits,” said Darcy Gruttadaro, chief innovation officer for the alliance. “By doing so, organizations will see the individual and organizational impact of increased productivity, connection and satisfaction among employees who are connected to resources.”
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