Support minds, strengthen teams: 5 mental health benefits to transform your workplace

For many HR teams, benefit strategies can be summed up in a few words: supporting employee health and happiness. The definition of “health and happiness” can vary for different companies, depending on location, culture, and employee demographics. But one thing’s for sure: mental health is now a key part of the conversation about health and happiness.

Gen-Z employees currently make up 30% of the workforce and believe mental health is a crisis in the U.S. It’s no surprise that this generation — and two-thirds of the U.S. workforce — expect employers to offer mental health support.

As HR leaders, supporting mental health doesn’t stop at sending out an email in observance of Mental Health Awareness Month. Crafting employee benefit strategies that prioritize mental health, providing a workplace that’s sensitive to employee needs, and aligning with leadership on the benefits of mental health are all crucial parts of our role.

The mental health crisis in the workplace

The mental health crisis isn’t just knocking at our door — it’s kicked the door down and made itself at home. 15% of working-age adults grapple with some form of mental illness or disorder. That means about 15 out of every 100 employees need some kind of mental health support.

The COVID-19 pandemic also cranked up the stress dial for everyone, with reports of anxiety and depression increasing by 25% across the board. Kitchen tables suddenly became offices, and work-life balance became a distant memory. The result? A perfect storm of anxiety, isolation, and burnout.

And speaking of burnout, two-thirds of HR leaders say that and stress are their biggest concerns for employees. A burned-out team is a full-blown migraine for any business, as it can raise workplace tensions and cause productivity to plummet. Investing in mental health benefits for employees can help reduce burn-out and set employees up to do their best work.

Mental health benefits for employees are a win-win

Mental health benefits are a must-have for any company that’s serious about its success. Investing in your team’s mental well-being can transform your employee experience, and improve productivity, morale, and retention in the process.

Here’s how mental health benefits can transform your workplace:

Increased productivity and engagement

Employees who feel mentally healthy bring their A-game. They’re more focused, creative, and ready to tackle challenges head-on. On the opposite end of the spectrum, depression can cause a 35% reduction in productivity.

Reduced absenteeism and turnover

In addition to a decrease in productivity, depression also accounts for an average of 31.4 missed days of work per year. Improving employees' happiness means fewer sick days and less job hopping. Mental health support keeps your team present and committed.

Improved company culture and employee satisfaction

A workplace that prioritizes mental health fosters trust, openness, and mutual support. It’s the secret sauce for a positive company culture.

Competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent

As mentioned above, two-thirds of the workforce in the U.S. expect employers to offer mental health support. Similar to medical, dental, and vision, mental health benefits should be considered a given when evaluating your benefits offering. And if you really want to stand out above the crowd, you’ll need to get creative with how you structure those benefits and explore different channels of mental health support.

Better decision-making and innovation

A mentally healthy workforce is more likely to think clearly, make sound decisions, and develop innovative solutions.

Best mental health benefits for employees

Ready to level up your mental health benefits? Here are some of the top-tier offerings that can transform your workplace:

• Robust mental health coverage in health insurance plans: Low co-pays for therapy, coverage for a wide range of mental health services, and easy access to specialists.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): These programs offer confidential counseling, referrals, and resources for everything from stress management to financial advice.
• Wellness apps and digital mental health tools: From meditation apps to AI-powered chatbots, digital tools can offer employees on-demand support anytime, anywhere.
• Stress management and resilience training: Give your team the skills it needs to weather any storm. These programs teach employees stress management techniques, how to build resilience, and how to maintain performance under pressure.
• Flexible work arrangements: Sometimes, the best mental health benefit is the freedom to work when and where you’re at your best. Flexible hours, remote work options, and unlimited PTO can make a big impact on employees' work-life balance.

How to support mental health in the workplace

Transforming your workplace doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t stop at providing great mental health benefits. These strategies for supporting mental wellness in the workplace will set you on the right path:

1. Destigmatize mental health: Make it clear that mental health talk is welcome. Lead by example and share your experiences when appropriate.
2. Train your managers: Equip leadership with the skills they need to recognize mental health struggles and respond with empathy and practical support.
3. Champion a work-life balance: Set clear boundaries around work hours and respect your team’s time off. Encourage actual lunch breaks and paid time off.
4. Schedule regular check-ins: Create dedicated time for open, honest conversations about well-being.
5. Communicate clearly: Keep your team informed about the mental health resources that are available and how to access them.

Remember: When it comes to creating a supportive work environment, the trickle-down approach is best. If your employees see you — and your leadership team — investing in your own mental health and using the benefits available, they’ll feel more comfortable following suit.

How to get started on building a mentally healthy workplace

Not sure how to start implementing mental health benefits in your organization? Schedule a call with a Nava Benefits specialist and see how we can help. We’ll walk you through the available options and help you choose the right benefits strategy for your company.

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