Mental health has become an increasingly important topic in the workplace, and for a good reason.
According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. In 2024, workplaces are increasingly focused on creating a positive culture that supports employees’ mental wellbeing by providing mental health benefits. This includes things like work-life balance initiatives, resource groups for support and education, mental health days off from work, and comprehensive healthcare coverage that includes mental health care.
Companies that prioritize their employees’ mental health are setting themselves up to be leaders in this new era of workplace culture. In this article, we will discuss some of the mental health initiatives companies can take to create a healthier workplace environment for their employees.
Why Mental Health Support Is Important in the Workplace
Mental health issues can have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to perform their job. It can also lead to higher absenteeism and staff turnover, increased accidents and errors, lower morale, and impaired relationships with colleagues.
Work can also be a protective factor for mental health issues. A safe and supportive workplace can be a great source of strength, while also providing an important social outlet. That’s why it is so important to create workplaces that are conducive to good mental and physical health.
In addition, when a company puts an emphasis on mental health and employee assistance, it can lead to increased loyalty among employees and stronger relationships with customers. When happier and healthier staff feel supported by their employer, they are more likely to stay longer in the position, helping the company reduce costs associated with recruitment and turnover.
Benefits of Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace
One of the most important things employers can do to support their employee’s mental health is to create a culture of respect and care. The benefits of building workplaces that foster positive mental health include:
Work-Life Balance Initiatives
Companies should consider offering flexible work hours, telecommuting options, and unlimited sick days. This can help reduce stress and help employees better manage their time.
Resource Groups
Establishing mental health resource groups can provide a space for employees to come together, share experiences, and find support.
Health Days Off
Providing employees with a certain number of mental health days at work can help employees manage stress levels and reduce burnout. This also ensures that employees feel safe and supported enough to reach out for help when they need it. Consider also giving World Mental Health Day off work each year.
Healthcare That Covers Mental Health Services
It is important for employers to provide comprehensive healthcare plans that include coverage for mental health services. This can help employees access the resources they need to stay healthy and visit with mental health professionals.
Positive Workplace Culture Initiatives
Companies should consider implementing initiatives that focus on building a positive workplace culture, such as wellness activities, goal-setting programs, and recognition programs. Workplace culture supports mental health more than many employers realize.
As the workplace culture continues to evolve, employers should continue to prioritize mental health and provide a supportive environment that encourages employees to be their best selves. By offering these benefits, incentives, and employee assistance programs, companies can create workplaces that are conducive to good mental health and productivity.
At the end of the day, creating workplaces for mental health is a win-win scenario. It will not only benefit employees in terms of their physical and emotional wellbeing, but it can also have a positive impact on businesses’ bottom lines.
Traits of Companies That Support Mental Health
Creating an atmosphere that values mental health can have a lasting positive impact on employees. Here are some of the key traits of a workplace that emphasizes good mental health:
- open and honest communication
- respect for individual boundaries
- acceptance and appreciation of diversity
- recognition of individual contribution
- supportive relationships
- a commitment to safety and security
- activities that promote positive mental health
- positive reinforcement of good work habits
By creating an environment that encourages open dialogue, respect, and appreciation, employers can help foster a culture of mental health in their workplace. This will have a long-term benefit on employees’ wellbeing and help create a more productive workplace overall.
Best Workplaces for Mental Health
These companies that support mental health awareness are the ones to emulate:
Axon
Axon, the leader in global public safety solutions, offers generous personal time off policies and a wide variety of employee resources, including access to Modern Health, a mental wellness platform. Employees are encouraged to prioritize their emotional, professional, social, physical, and financial wellbeing by utilizing private sessions with licensed professionals, group support sessions, and a variety of self-serve resources.
Interested in a career at Axon? Check out their job postings.
Desert Financial Credit Union
Desert Financial Credit Union (DFCU), Arizona’s largest locally-based credit union, is committed to supporting the wellbeing and mental health of its employees. With an employee resource group (ERG) for Mental Health Advocates, the company fulfills employee-driven initiatives to promote a healthy workplace culture. Employees at DFCU appreciate the effort put in by the company to ensure a safe and comfortable work environment for all.
Interested in joining the team? Review job openings now.
KUBRA
KUBRA is an industry-leading provider of customer experience management solutions to some of the largest utility, government, and insurance entities in North America. Its dedication to its clients undoubtedly extends to its employees. KUBRA puts the wellbeing of employees above all else with a variety of wellness programs to help keep their employees’ minds and bodies happy and healthy.
This technology company prides itself on providing a plethora of benefits and support for its employees. Their programs support employees by offering plenty of time off, including paid mental health days, free Headspace subscriptions and gym memberships, meaningful work, flexible work schedules, and free resources for mental health education and awareness.
Interested in working for a top company that makes positive mental health a priority? See KUBRA’s open positions and apply today.
Northern Trust
Northern Trust has also been lauded for its workplace culture, which focuses on mental health. They provide employees with flexible work arrangements, paid time off for family leave, and several days of paid volunteer work each year. Northern Trust’s goal is to help team members balance their careers with their personal lives. The company also offers continuous learning opportunities and a mentorship program to support employees in pursuing their career aspirations.
Ready to explore a healthy work-life balance at Northern Trust? See job openings.
Rocket Companies
Detroit-based Rocket Companies® is made up of businesses that provide simple, fast, and trusted digital solutions for complex transactions. This innovative employer truly cares about their team members’ mental health at work.
Rocket Companies provides comprehensive healthcare plans, up to four weeks of PTO, seven paid company holidays, a team member assistance program, confidential counseling, an annual mental health summit, support groups, and more. Additionally, it offers free virtual and in-person wellness classes to support mental health.
Ready to work for a company that takes mental health awareness seriously? View current openings at Rocket Companies.
WillScot Mobile Mini
WillScot Mobile Mini, the leader in innovative flexible workspace and portable storage is well-deserving of being on this list.
This company proudly supports its employees’ mental health by providing generous paid time off and company holidays annually based on global location and tenure. Additionally, WillScot Mobile Mini provides excellent medical and prescription plans to support mental health care. They also offer Be Well Benefits for emotional health, which include an employee assistance program, recognition programs, Minions of Kindness, Give Where You Live program, and Inclusiveness Resource Teams.
Check out job opportunities at WillScot Mobile Mini.
The Bottom Line
The workplace culture today is under a microscope, and more companies recognize the importance of promoting mental health and providing their employees with a work-life balance.
Companies like Axon, KUBRA, Northern Trust, Rocket Companies, and WillScot Mobile Mini are leading the way in establishing policies that support the wellbeing of their employees — but the list does not stop there. As more employers recognize the impact that work-life balance and mental health have on their teams, we can expect to see other companies following suit.
If you’re looking for a workplace culture where your mental health is supported, check out these positions at some of the best employers partnered with BestCompaniesAZ.
