Put the mental health of your employees in the spotlight

Happiness at work week. Mental Health Week. Work Stress Week. Does all this attention to the mental well-being of our employees seem a bit excessive? Don't be alarmed. In a large-scale research at TNO, as many as 20% of the employees indicated that they regularly experience work stress.

That's not nothing. It therefore means that 1 out of 5 colleagues regularly goes to work with a knot in their stomach. Very annoying for the employee. But, let's be honest: it's no less annoying for the employer. Indeed, there is a good chance that work stress will result in long-term absenteeism. The run-up to calling in sick is usually just as disastrous. An employee's concentration and production decline almost unnoticed. Just until he or she sinks through the ice and picks up the phone to call in sick.

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What exactly is mental health?‍

Of course, it's also a matter of personal experience. What one person experiences as very stressful, another person may experience as a piece of cake are labeled. It's just what you're used to and how you're “baked” as a person. But in general, you can assume that someone feels mentally healthy if they are okay with:

• satisfaction
• luck
• quality of life

There are many factors that determine whether you tick these aspects and feel mentally fit.

For example, experienced health, problems with mobility, hearing, sight and feeling, social interaction with others, and having control over one's own life appear to be important indicators of someone's mental health report.

Why is mental health so important?‍

Feeling good about yourself has quite a few advantages. Mentally healthy people are happier, have better study and work performance, have more friends, and are better able to deal with stress and pain. In addition, they have more self-confidence and self-control and are less susceptible to stress, depression, and anxiety. And when we talk about long-term stress, you increase the risk of overstimulation, heart rhythm disorders, back pain or other physical complaints.

In short: both employers and employees benefit from investing in good mental health.

When does work have a negative impact on someone's mental health?‍

Of course, private situations have an impact on someone's mental well-being. A divorce, death or money worries often cause such stress that it doesn't stop at the employer's door. But it also works the other way around: if things don't go well at work, that also affects how you feel at home. The following factors are most commonly cited by employees as work-related mental health dampers:

• too high workload
• conflict with colleague or supervisor
• feeling unappreciated and heard
• transgressive behavior, discriminations, aggression or violence

Tips for getting your organisation mentally fit (more)‍

How an employee organises personal life is his or her own business. But don't forget that an employer can also play an important role. After all, when you get satisfaction and pleasure from your work, it has a positive effect on your well-being. We have the following tips to increase the mental vitality of your organisation:

1. Healthy workload‍

One bit of work pressure or stress keeps a person sharp and productive. But if the workload gets too high, it can make an employee physically or mentally ill, especially if the pressure rises for a long time. Therefore, consciously consider the following measures:

• Alternate complicated, stressful tasks with more routine ones. Task rotation offers the employee a good balance between challenge and charging. It therefore prevents a burnout and a bore-out.
• Make sure you have a healthy schedule and plan plenty of breaks. Make sure that employees also take that break and do not linger at their workplace!
• Make employees aware of the importance of good time management and give them tips.
  

2. Psychological safety‍

Being able to be yourself, being allowed to learn from mistakes, dare to speak up and say “no” when you don't want something. Mental safety in the workplace is part of a positive employee experience and is very important to stay in good shape. So consciously make it part of your organisational culture. You can do this, for example, by:

• To be alert to gossip and backlash. Inform employees if you hear them speak negatively about someone else.
• To provide a counselor. Ensure easy access by clearly publishing contact details on the intranet and other media.
• Discuss topics such as mental pressure, respect and positive feedback.
  

3. Encourage movement‍

“Huh? This blog wasn't about physical fitness, was it? ' we hear you think. However, scientific research shows that sport and exercise have a positive effect on mental health. Exercise, for example, reduces the risk of depression, people become more confident and general brain functions also get a boost if enough exercise is done. So keep that in mind, especially if your organisation has a lot seated functions knows.

Of course, we also have a few tips in this context:

• During the break, go outside and take a walk. By jointly the 'Ommetje' app By installing the Brain Foundation, you can even incorporate a competition element.
• As an employer, reimburse (part of) your employees' gym subscription.
• Encourage people to take the stairs instead of the elevator.

4. Lots of positive attention‍

A person is a social being who wants to be seen, heard and appreciated. That is why you should also pay sufficient attention to and connection with each other in the workplace. Here are just a few boosts:

• Start the working day with a short joint check-in. While enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, ask how everyone is feeling (for example, by giving them a rating) and whether someone might need to contribute ideas or any other form of support.
• Give regularly sincere compliments and encourage others to do the same to their colleagues.
• As a manager, set aside enough time for a regular performance or assessment interview. Clearly record development agreements a personal development plan and keep asking questions about happiness at work. And yes, a good conversation is also possible if you do this through different work locations or many people working from home remotely should do it, read our various tips for good online personal conversations!

5. Eat and drink healthy‍

Scientific research proves that a healthy diet helps in preventing depression and stress symptoms. Drinking lots of water is also not only good for your body, but also for your brain. As an employer, you can also benefit from that knowledge:

• Replace the croquettes in the company canteen for healthier alternatives (fish, vegetables, fruit and legumes).
• Set up water taps or water jugs at strategic points.
• Don't just use your newsletter for business news, but also include healthy recipes on a regular basis.

Make mental vitality easy with online opportunities

From a healthy schedule to a smart personal development plan. From organising a walking club to online newsletters: you can arrange it all online. Are you curious how? Feel free to contact us, we'd love to tell you!