Looking after your employees mental health

Stress, anxiety and depression can place a big toll on your ability to work to your fullest. If you are an employer then considering the mental health of your employees can make a difference to their work quality too.
Stress is very high amongst people these days so it may be worth considering taking some additional steps to support the mental health of your employees.

There are instances where no matter what your efforts are to ensure a productive work environment for your employees, there will always be issues that you can’t control. These include mental health concerns, such as withdrawal, anxiety, and depression. A possible solution for this is finding a counselor for your employees.

The best counselor offers the likes of EAP counselling programs, which can help de-stress employees and motivate them to work better. Such programs are suitable for any employee who are stressed and overwhelmed or may be needing some help to improve their job performance.

Here are some reasons why you may consider adding a counselling service to your workplace:

1. Helps You Create A Positive Workplace Environment
   One of the major benefits of employee counseling is that it can help you create a positive workplace environment by lessening the stress level in the workplace. This results in happier, more efficient employees. In addition to that, happy employees tend to act more pleasantly towards customers, which can be beneficial in improving the image and reputation of your brand or company. Plus, they are less inclined to look for another company to work for, thus allowing you to gain loyal employees who can contribute to the success of your business.
2. Lessens Sick Leave
   Previous research has shown that employees suffering from stress-related health problems take sick leave frequently and miss more workdays annually compared to those who do not report as high a level of stress. If stress is not resolved it can affect one’s well being. This may escalate into more serious health issues which may leave employees unfit to work for weeks or months. Thus, it makes sense for employers to tackle such an issue before it exacerbates. With the help of a counselor, employees are able to pinpoint the true causes of their stress.
   Usually, counselors would conduct a session in a private and judgment-free environment, which enables employees to understand their respective issues better, and where they learn steps on how to manage them effectively. A counselor may provide employees with specific programs, such as CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy, depending on their needs. CBT offers employees an outlet for negative feelings or thoughts.
3. Increases Morale And Confidence Of Your Employees
   Confidence plays an important role in how a person functions, especially at work. If a person is confident, they tend to be more effective in handling their tasks and in solving issues coming their way. However, frustrations, dissatisfaction, stress, and anxiety may hamper their work performance, which, in turn, could significantly lessen their morale and confidence. Take note that poor employee morale and confidence has a negative impact on your company’s bottom line as it affects their quality of work and your business’s overall productivity.
   If that is the case, you need to let your employees meet a counselor. Good counselors can help your employees bring back their confidence and rebuild their morale. They could provide psychological therapy to your employees who are stressed out, which helps reduce their anxiety level and boost their mental health. Counselors may recommend them to do meditation after work to de-stress.
4. It Shows That You Care For Your Employees
   Everybody prefers to work with employers who genuinely care for their welfare and pay importance to their mental health. Caring employers prioritize the well being of their employees because they know that without them, their business won’t be able to operate as it should.
   Employers who are sympathetic towards the overall health of their workforce make employees feel more valued, which boosts their confidence and motivates them to do better at their job.
5. Helps Employees Cope With Criticism
   Some people are having difficulty processing negative feedback no matter how constructively this is framed. As a result, this could lessen their motivation to do their best at work. Employee counseling teaches employees how to deal with criticisms. A good counselor can help them learn from their mistakes, as well as take any negative feedback as a challenge to do better.
6. Gets Rid Of Stigma
   There are lots of workplaces where mental health issues are not recognized as real ailments. As a matter of fact, some employers don’t care about their employees’ mental health. Having a counselor to help your employees deal with stress and other issues concerning their mental health will make them feel more accepted as you’re making them feel that whatever they’re going through doesn’t make them any less of a person.

Bottom Line

Hiring a counselor to help your employees address their professional and personal issues more effectively offers a lot of benefits to your company. It can boost the confidence and morale of your staff, which has been proven to increase their focus on their tasks, as well as improve their productivity. This, in turn, can significantly reinforce your business operations. Having them meet a counselor can also create a more positive workplace environment, which is a recipe for success.