How Important Are Mental Health Policies In Workplaces? - ETHRWorld

• Employee Wellbeing
• 4 min read

How important are mental health policies in workplaces? While the pandemic has definitely put a renewed focus on mental wellbeing but this concept will need evangelization by business leaders along with HR practitioners to genuinely establish the need and value of investment in this space.

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• ETHRWorld Contributor

• Updated On Dec 20, 2021 at 02:14 AM IST

Read by: 100 Industry Professionals Read by 100 Industry Professionals

By Rohit HasteerOn 7 December 2021, the central government said in the Parliament that 10.6% adults face some or the other kind of mental health issue in India. While the recent pandemic has amplified these issues, the situation wasn’t all that rosy even before that. According to a 2017 report by The Lancet, Indians accounted for 26.6% of suicides in the world. All these data points create a compelling reason why organizations must start putting the spotlight on mental health of their people and why mental wellbeing should be a key element of their overall health and safety framework. Advt Focus on mental wellbeing isn’t just a fad anymore, but there are real benefits that organizations can witness if they focus on this aspect. So, what is it that organizations stand to gain by investing in the mental health of their people?One of the most pertinent reasons behind having mental health policies at workplace is that it has a direct impact on the bottom line of the organization. If we have a workforce that is battling with stress, anxiety, depression, etc, they will not be able to work to the best of their abilities and ultimately it will impact the deliverables.This has become an even bigger concern in the new normal of remote work where people are unable to differentiate between personal and professional lives, thereby leading to long working hours, inability to take some leisure time off, resulting in burnout. On the other hand, an employee who is less stressed and in sound mental health will most likely be better equipped to cope and thrive in challenging situations, thereby leading to increased productivity at the workplace which eventually helps the organization.Focus on mental wellbeing also helps reduce the problems of absenteeism, lack of cognitive skills, interpersonal conflicts, etc at the workplace, which often arise when employees are battling mental health issues in their personal lives.Another strong reason why focusing on mental health is essential is that it establishes your organization as an employer that genuinely cares and respects its people. Today organizations that act responsibly and make their people feel safe and valued for their contributions can rise above the rest, thereby, attracting and retaining the best of talent. This also reduces the turnover costs which is a perennial problem for most organizations today. Advt The ‘Great Resignation’ in the US is a good reminder that healthy working conditions is perhaps one of the most critical aspect organizations must consider, while focusing on profitability and acceleration.While the pandemic has definitely put a renewed focus on mental wellbeing but this concept will need evangelization by business leaders along with HR practitioners to genuinely establish the need and value of investment in this space. In India specifically, leaders are still not very cognizant of the benefits that entail from a mentally sound workforce and why they should focus on ensuring the mental wellbeing of their people. As we step into the new year, it’s time that organizations sensitize their leaders and at the same time rethink their employee wellbeing strategy and make sure that mental health becomes a core part of it.Some of the initiatives that organizations must take include:• Conduct assessments that can help you gauge the mental wellness needs of your people and help determine what wellness programmes are best suited for them;• Design a mental health policy that clearly lays down how as an employer you will offer resources for broader mental health and also offer help to those who need clinical services;• Offer unique benefits like Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) that help the employees connect with counsellors in real-time, free or subsidized wellbeing coaches, free or subsidized clinical screenings for mental health issues like depression, etc;• Extend novel ways to strike work-life balance by initiatives like no meetings day, 4-day work week, etc;• Last but not the least, communicate. It’s extremely important for organizations to talk about mental wellbeing and break the stigma that is often associated with mental health issues.The author, Rohit Hasteer, is Group CHRO at Housing.com, Makaan.com and PropTiger.com.DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHRWorld does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHRWorld will not be responsible for any damage caused to any person or organisation directly or indirectly.

• ETHRWorld Contributor

• Published On Dec 20, 2021 at 02:14 AM IST

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• mental wellbeing
• rohit hasteer
• parliament
• employee assistance programmes
• expert speak
• remote work
• Great Resignation