A majority of Americans experience mental health problems annually. If you want that into numbers, one-in-five Americans report having depression, anxiety, or another mental health problem, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. However, many experts believe this number is much higher if we consider those who don’t report their mental illness.
Despite the awareness and open discussion about mental health, there’s still a lot of stigma surrounding it. Nearly 60 percent of people with a mental illness don’t seek treatment due to the fear of being judged and the possible lack of care.
As an entrepreneur, you’re in a position to make a change, especially in your company. It’s time to break that stigma in your company, and these are five ways to do it:
Promote an open and honest discussion
The first step is to open up the discussion about mental health in your company. You can do it in different ways, such as having regular check-ins with your employees, offering an anonymous survey, or holding company-wide events and workshops about mental health.
Such a discussion can allow your employees to voice their concerns and feel more comfortable discussing their mental health. It also shows them that you’re supportive and care about their well-being.
No matter how you choose to do it, the goal is to get employees talking about their mental health openly and without fear of judgment. This will help create a more positive and supportive environment for those who need it.
Promote a Local Drug Rehab Center
Most people experiencing mental health issues turn to substances to feel better. It’s estimated that about 21 million Americans are addicted to a substance, and your employees can be one of them. Promoting a local drug rehab center gives your employees a place to get treated. You can also give back to the community by doing it.
There are many ways you can do this. One easy way is by doing search engine optimization for drug rehabilitation. It can include blogs regarding addiction and mental health. It can also include case studies of those who have been through rehab. By doing this, you can promote the rehab center without needing to leave your office.
Another way to promote a drug rehab center is by holding company-wide events. This can include bringing in speakers who have been through the process of addiction and recovery. Doing this shows your employees that there’s help available and that you care about their well-being.
Make sure your employees feel supported
It’s vital that your employees feel supported in the workplace. This means creating an environment where they feel comfortable talking about their mental health and seeking help when needed.
You can provide resources, such as an employee assistance program or a list of mental health professionals. You can also offer training to managers on how to support employees with mental health problems.
However, one of the best ways to do this is to have a weekly support group meeting. A support group can provide a safe space for employees to discuss their mental health and share their experiences. It can also help managers learn more about supporting employees with mental health problems.
Ensure your employees feel supported by creating a positive and supportive work environment.
Encourage employees to take time off
One of the most significant barriers to seeking treatment for mental health problems is the fear of taking time off from work. Employee burnout is a serious concern, and it’s essential to encourage employees to take time off when needed.
You can do this by openly discussing the importance of taking time off. You can also offer paid time off for mental health days or create a policy that allows employees to take unpaid leave for mental health reasons. You can also offer unlimited vacation days, as big companies like Netflix did.
Encouraging employees to take time off will help them feel supported and show that you care about their well-being.
Provide mental health benefits
Mental health benefits are a great way to support employees with mental health problems. In addition, they can help cover the cost of therapy, medication, and other treatments.
Many companies now offer mental health benefits as part of their employee benefits package. If you’re not already providing them, consider doing so. It’s great to show your employees that you care about their well-being. In addition, you can help cover the cost of therapy, medication, and other treatments.
These are five ways entrepreneurs can break the stigma surrounding mental health in their company. Doing these things can promote a more open and supportive environment for your employees. You can also show that you care about their well-being, making them even more productive at work.
