7 Effective Ways to Support Mental Health at Work

As an employer, one of your core responsibilities is to make sure that your employees feel supported in all aspects. This includes prioritizing their mental health. Mental health initiatives are more important now than ever as employees expect adequate mental health support from their employers.

In fact, according to APA’s 2023 Work in America Survey, 92% of employees said it was somewhat or very important to them to work for a company that values their emotional and psychological well-being. Furthermore, 38.9% of Gen Zers who answered a 2024 iHire survey said mental health benefits were most important when thinking about the benefits (aside from salary) provided by their ideal job/workplace.

There are many ways you can offer employee mental health benefits at your organization. Learn how to support mental health at work in this guide. 

Why Employee Mental Health Matters 

If you’re wondering why you should care about your employee’s mental health journey, here’s the reason: When you prioritize your employees’ mental health, you demonstrate your commitment to their well-being and give them momentum and motivation to excel in their jobs. 

Let’s face it – burnout is common at work, and by taking the initiative to implement employee mental health benefits, you’re not only helping your employees but also strengthening your organization.

There are many benefits to prioritizing mental health at work, including: 

• Increased productivity and retention
• Reduced absenteeism 
• Better job satisfaction
• Improved company culture

7 Ways to Support Mental Health at Work

Now that you understand the benefits and why your employees’ mental health matters, let’s look at effective ways to support their mental well-being at work.

1. Provide Subscriptions to Mental Health Apps 

There are many mental health-focused apps in the market, but many are not free, so why not gift your employees premium subscriptions to these apps?

You can offer premium access to meditation apps like Headspace and Calm or therapy apps like Talkspace and BetterHelp. These apps often include helpful features such as guided meditation, mental health assessments, breathwork, and support groups.

Due to their accessibility, these mental health apps can be invaluable for busy people. Your employees can fit therapy sessions around their schedules, which is a perfect way to encourage them to take care of their mental well-being on their own time.

2. Encourage & Support Mental Health Days Off

It’s a given that your employee benefits package should include essentials like paid time off (PTO) and sick leave. However, sick leaves are typically reserved for physical ailments and don’t cover mental health. This is why you should encourage your employees to take much-needed mental health days off and extend their PTO banks to include them.

When your employees feel mentally unwell but are forced to come into the office, their work performance may suffer, which could hurt your business.

You can also offer them flexible work hours or a remote or hybrid work setup for better work-life balance.

3. Organize Group Wellness Sessions 

Giving your employees the option to turn to mental health apps is a fantastic way to motivate them to prioritize their mental health on an individual basis, but not everyone is tech-savvy or enjoys spending time alone on their phones. That’s why it’s also a good idea to host group mental health sessions virtually or onsite.

Set up a dedicated area for meditation, yoga, and fitness, and organize mental health days at work where your employees can engage in different mental health activities for the workplace. You can even hire a counselor to host one-on-one or group therapy sessions. 

On top of this, consider creating a comprehensive wellness program your employees would be eager to join. Include things like healthy meals and snacks, onsite fitness centers, and more.

4. Offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

Another great way to support employee mental health is through Employee Assistance Programs or EAPs. EAPs can provide assistance in conflict resolution, stress reduction, and other areas affecting mental and emotional well-being. Through EAPs, you can offer resources to help your employees solve personal and work challenges.

EAPs may include the following elements:

• Mental health resources
• Financial support services
• Family planning and childcare resources
• Counseling services
• Legal services

5. Include Comprehensive Mental Health Coverage in Your Benefits Package

Much like EAPs, offering comprehensive coverage for mental health care is invaluable. Health care is expensive, and this includes mental health therapy. Without insurance, a trip to a psychologist can easily cost $250, while a counselor can cost $150. This poses a financial burden on your employees seeking mental health care without insurance coverage.

So, consider offering coverage for these therapy sessions. Include components like therapy and counseling, mental health screenings, and hospital visits in your insurance package for your employees’ mental health needs.

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6. Promote Mental Health Education 

Mental health stigma remains a huge obstacle in the workplace. If you want to create a truly inclusive work environment that supports employees’ mental wellness, educate them about mental health to reduce the stigma that surrounds it.

Provide mental health training that teaches your employees, especially supervisors and managers, to recognize the common signs of mental illness, such as depression, stress, and anxiety. You can also offer educational resources so they can learn how to manage their own mental health effectively.

7. Create a Positive Work Environment

No one wants to work in an environment where negativity and tension persist. That’s why it’s crucial to establish a positive work environment to safeguard the mental well-being of your employees. Here are a few ways you can create a positive work environment:

• Encourage collaboration
• Provide growth opportunities
• Promote a diverse company culture
• Recognize good work
• Encourage open communication
• Ask questions and listen to feedback

Show You Care

It’s good practice to ask questions and listen to your employees. But it’s equally important to take the initiative and show that you care about their mental health.

Support your employees’ well-being by introducing these seven effective ways to boost mental health in the workplace. A mentally healthy workforce means a better organization overall.

Need some guidance as you navigate hiring, retention, and everything in between? iHire has you covered. Check out our Employer Resources to find useful articles that will help you become the best employer you can be.