8 tips on how to look after your employees’ mental health

In this article, you will learn:

• What is the current state of mental health among Polish employees?
• What are the potential causes of mental health issues following the pandemic?
• How can a company support the mental health of its employees?

Mental health issues among Polish employees are often mentioned in the same breath as other consequences of the pandemic. Of course, prolonged isolation and uncertainty about the future have certainly taken a toll on the well-being of Poles. The 2022 Benefit Systems report, "Tired, Indifferent, Disengaged: Post-Pandemic Employee Needs," revealed that as many as 61% of working Poles experienced more frequent mental health issues during the pandemic! However, it would be a mistake to point to recent events as the sole cause of this situation. It turns out that even before the Covid-19 pandemic, many studies pointed to a widespread increase in mental health risks, which represent a modern-day societal challenge. [1]

Did you know that…

It is estimated that 12 billion working days are lost every year due to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy nearly $1 trillion. [2]

Nevertheless, it is a fact that the mental state of our fellow citizens has deteriorated compared to pre-pandemic norms [1]. Stress levels alone have increased for 53% of respondents recently, simultaneously leading to a decline in overall health.

Covid was, however, a catalyst that prompted Polish employers to pay closer attention to this topic [3]. The attitude of employees themselves has also changed. Nearly half of them (48%) now expect mental health support from their employer [4].

How can we prevent escalation and mitigate the effects of existing mental health issues among staff?

• ‍Prioritize communication
  
  It turns out that mental health issues—both those stemming from the pandemic and those that followed—are closely linked to a sense of uncertainty and anxiety about the future. Almost ⅓ (29%) of all employees surveyed for the LiveCareer.pl report "Mental health of Poles and their professional life" admitted that they work in uncertain conditions. Among employees struggling with mental health issues, this figure was nearly half — 45%.
  
  It turned out that people suffering from mental health problems also tend to be dissatisfied with the conditions in their companies and their level of earnings [5]. Uncertainty about the future, an unpleasant atmosphere, and poorly paid work have a disastrous effect on staff morale. Some of these problems can be solved not by a sudden influx of cash (that would be unrealistic advice), but precisely by an open, honest, and comprehensive approach to communication – keeping staff informed about the market situation and the company's response to new challenges. Who knows, perhaps this is how concerns can be turned into motivation to achieve a common goal?
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• Give them space
  According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission, respondents from Central and Eastern Europe fare best in terms of mental health. However, experts argue that such data does not prove that this part of Europe copes better with stress. On the contrary: in the countries of our region, there is less awareness of mental hygiene, greater stigmatization of poor mental health, and insufficient access to help from psychiatrists and psychotherapists [1]. A company can influence all these factors by providing all employees with, for example, online consultations with a psychologist.
  
  Let's start with stigmatization, however – it is worth creating policies and procedures that ensure employees are not afraid to talk about mental health issues. And also, so that in the event of such problems, they know who to turn to. Information about such procedures can be communicated by managers, but employees should have constant access to them via the intranet. The intranet can also contain information about courses and training available, for example, as part of benefits (such as a mindfulness course from MultiLife).

• ‍Live chat
  Experts point out that in the case of online meetings, even an experienced and highly empathetic manager will struggle to notice when an employee is struggling with their mental health. During a half-hour status update in an app, it is easy to fake well-being and a positive attitude. It is a different story during an 8-hour day in the workplace [1]. It is worth considering this when planning in-office days in a hybrid model.
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• Support your managers
  People who are often on the front lines of dealing with employees' mental health issues lack the appropriate knowledge in this area. It turns out that this is a huge and very common problem, not limited to Poland [6]. The reason may be the same as in the case of integrating distributed teams – a large number of changes hit companies too quickly and too suddenly. It is therefore worth dedicating time and resources to support managers in acquiring psychological knowledge. Such measures have even been recommended by the WHO recently [2].
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• Promote a healthy diet
  Diet and eating habits are another aspect that significantly impacts mental health, where a company can support its employees. Let's remember that the brain is an organ that requires a large dose of energy and nutrients. Providing the right amino acids, fats, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements is what ensures it functions properly [1].
  
  Read more about this in the article: "Did you know that what you eat could be holding you back from a promotion or a bonus? Does food affect our productivity?".
  
  Employers have many tools at their disposal to support healthy eating habits within their teams. In the office itself, you can create spaces that make it easy to prepare and enjoy a meal in a calm atmosphere. As part of your benefits package, you can also provide your team with consultations with a nutritionist, workshops on healthy eating, or programs that help set and track dietary goals (such as MultiLife Diet).

• ‍Promote physical activity
  The aforementioned 2022 Benefit Systems report shows that 95%—the vast majority of employees—believe that physical activity helps relieve work-related stress. 93% stated that it has a positive impact on memory and concentration, and 93% believe it fosters creative thinking. [4]
  
  These findings are also supported by other scientific studies [7]. Importantly, exercise not only provides an immediate mood boost but also acts as a preventative measure, helping the body manage future stressors [8].
  
  It is safe to assume that any support in this area will be well-received by your team. Today, 47% of employees already expect their employers to increase
  their commitment to supporting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle [4]. Companies have many solutions at their disposal, but synergy traditionally yields the best results. You can leverage the power of company sports teams, provide teams with MultiSport cards, and offer consultations with a personal trainer along with access to an online workout platform, which is made possible by MultiLife.‍
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• Monitor health
  Regular check-ins with employees and staying attuned to any shifts in team morale is one thing. It is also worth supporting employees in monitoring other health metrics. We must remember that our overall physical health also impacts our mental well-being [1]. These topics can be addressed by organizing company health days, as well as by providing access to services through benefits, such as laboratory test packages or Telemedi (quick and easy access to online diagnostic doctors).
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• Prioritize well-being
  Experts point out that our health is significantly impacted by: a fast-paced lifestyle, chronic stress, and sleep issues. These factors exacerbate mood swings, fatigue, lack of motivation, and difficulty making decisions. This is caused by a decline in neurological functions [1]. For the sake of the employees themselves, as well as to improve performance metrics, it is worth implementing initiatives in the company aimed at improving work-life balance. Additionally, teams can be supported through relevant training – for example, yoga classes or breathing, as well as apps like Foculsy. All such solutions are available as part of the MultiLife benefit.
  
  Prevention is better than cure – by creating a proper work environment based on a positive atmosphere and open communication; by respecting work-life balance and preventing employee burnout from excessive workloads. Eliminating stress entirely will never be possible. Just as it is unrealistic to assume that an employer can look after employee well-being around the clock – by encouraging proper nutrition, exercise, and regular check-ups. However, it is certain that the company's role in this area is significant and worth leveraging. To everyone's benefit.

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Bibliography:

1. https://www.gov.pl/web/wsse-warszawa/zdrowie-psychiczne.
2. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work.
3. https://zdrowie.pap.pl/srodowisko/ekg-2023-zmiany-na-rynku-pracy-w-polsce-w-cenie-work-life-balance.
4. Benefit Systems report "Tired, indifferent, disengaged. Post-pandemic employee needs", 2022.
5. https://www.livecareer.pl/porady-zawodowe/zdrowie-psychiczne-a-praca.
6. https://forsal.pl/praca/aktualnosci/artykuly/8705049,rosnace-problemy-w-pracy-kierownicy-nie-sa-terapeutami-niewielu-wie-jak-reagowac.html.
7. https://www.pap.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C1544639%2Cnowe-badanie-dowodzi-ze-w-walce-z-depresja-aktywnosc-fizyczna-moze-byc.
8. https://ncez.pzh.gov.pl/aktywnosc-fizyczna/systematyczny-ruch-lekiem-na-stres/.