World Mental Health Day: How companies can ensure mental well-being among employees

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New Delhi: Mental well-being is the first step on the ladder towards success. This applies not just in your personal, but professional life as as well.

The importance of mental well-being at workplace should be emphasised.

October 10 is World Mental Health Day and this year's theme is Mental Health in the Workplace.

Employers who put in place workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees who have mental disorders see gains not only in the health of their employees but also in their productivity at work.

In order to raise awareness about the importance of mental well-being of employees in companies and what employers in particular can do to ensure it, below is a compiled list of things to keep in mind.

Why companies should care:

Simply put, happy employees equals less turnover. When employees are happy in an organisation, they automatically perform better and are less likely to hand in their papers.

Operational flow:

Companies with highly engaged employees have better results financially as well as operationally.

Note: Employers spend an estimated $80 billion to $100 billion each year on indirect costs from mental and addiction.

What companies can do to ensure their employees' mental well-being:

Let them design: Employees who control the layout and design of their workplace are happier and healthier and more productive.

Welcome beliefs: Employees who can openly discuss their religious beliefs and practices are happier at work than those who can't.

Don't cut hours: If you think cutting work hours will make your employees happy, think again. Instead, this may simply force them to do more in less time and put them under unnecessary pressure and stress. If you're cutting their hours, make sure you reduce their workload as well.

Four ways to keep employees happy:

• Give them variety in their assigned tasks
• Allow employees to work independently from management
• Share work-related intelligence with them
• Encourage them when they perform well. Recognition goes a long way.
• Listen to them and their opinions. You never know when someone may say or do something that could benefit your organisation.