As we commemorate World Mental Health Day and this year’s theme, “Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority,” Frost & Sullivan joins worldwide efforts to raise awareness about the relevance of the topic. Today, we have a better chance than ever to talk about the impact of psychological health in every aspect of our life, the importance of asking for help while struggling with any issue, and the need to eliminate the stigma surrounding those issues.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rapid transition to remote and hybrid remote/in-office work environments, which caused an overlap in work and home lives. This change radically altered the stresses and anxieties employees had to deal with due to the resulting feeling of isolation and loneliness. Mental health challenges became common among employees across different industries and job levels.
Companies have the responsibility and resources to make a significant difference in the lives and communities of their employees. Workers demand and expect mentally healthy and sustainable workplaces, which requires tackling the difficult task of culture change. So how can companies enhance employees’ mental health and foster a positive work culture?
The need for work-life balance
Maintaining a work-life balance is essential for improving our well-being by keeping us connected to our loved ones and the activities we enjoy doing outside of work. It also helps reduce stress and prevents burnout, which causes a sense of physical or emotional exhaustion accompanied by a feeling of reduced accomplishment at work.
To drive this balance, companies should promote policies that empower employees to advocate for themselves and practice self-care. It’s crucial to build a work culture that promotes mental health with initiatives that provide the support all employees require for a positive work experience. The first step in this chain is the leaders: they have the power to establish a culture of dialogue and trust.
Therefore, managers can assist employees in a variety of ways to care for their mental health and encourage them to be proactive about their well-being. To create a psychologically safe environment and a supportive workplace, they should learn to balance motivating results with compassionate leadership. Leaders can also promote meaningful in-person moments outside of the office, such as team lunches and team-building exercises. Regular team meetings that include fun get-to-know-you activities and one-on-one sessions can assist remote employees in developing interpersonal connections.
Frost family cares
At Frost & Sullivan, employees’ mental health is the main priority. As part of our employee value proposition, we believe in the power of visionary thinking, embrace diversity, and celebrate our differences. Some of the key initiatives we take to enhance work-life balance are:
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): These are vital qualities of a productive, motivated team. Frost & Sullivan regularly reviews its employee metrics to ensure a diverse environment representative of people of all stripes. We also promote an equal recruitment process and have eliminated all kinds of bias in the hiring process.
- Physical Wellness and Mental Health Initiatives:Frost & Sullivan hosts a variety of activities and webinars throughout the year to help attendees improve their financial, behavioral, and physical well-being. Some examples in 2022 include the Spring Fitness Challenge, the May Mental Health Campaign, and a July Healthy Bingo campaign.
- Employee Benefits:Frost & Sullivan introduced the FrostFlex policy, allowing employees to choose where and when they work. You can choose to work entirely remotely, in a hybrid work model, or in an office setting.
- Motivation: Frost & Sullivan encourages transparency in all processes so that all employees are aligned in terms of organizational objectives, news, achievements, and developments. Frost & Sullivan also recognizes employees for different achievements, affording numerous opportunities for managers and peers to shout out other hardworking individuals/teams by implementing Spot Awards Programs. In addition, Frost & Sullivan guarantees that the “voice” of every employee is heard by requesting feedback constantly on several different topics.
Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority
To create a long-term culture of positive mental health dialogue among employees, we need to break down barriers to mental health discourse in the workplace. Employees should feel comfortable talking to their coworkers about mental health issues. It is also necessary to break down this barrier for employees to embrace mental health diversity among themselves.
All companies should include mental health coverage as part of their development plan by implementing well-being initiatives and increasing access to mental health resources. Employers should assist employees in prioritizing mental wellness, reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues, addressing disparities in their treatment, and providing support through formal structures and programs.
World Mental Health Day allows us all to openly discuss the work that should be done to ensure that people all over the world have access to adequate and affordable treatment and care. Governments, employers, and organizations should work together to raise mental health awareness and determine what steps should be taken to make mental health and well-being a global priority for all.
