A mental health crisis is brewing all over the world. A Lancet Commission report on mental health estimates that mental disorders will cost the global economy $16 trillion by 2030 due to lost productivity. Depression and anxiety are some of the most common mental health conditions. India, alone, accounts for 18% of the population that suffers from depression and about 38 million people suffer from anxiety disorders. The past couple of months have proven particularly challenging as workplaces across the globe adapt to changes and working styles. According to new data, there has been a 35-40% increase in cases of stress and panic attacks, bringing us back to how mental health support is more crucial than ever.

Stress, anxiety and fear coupled with loneliness and isolation while working remotely can have adverse effects in the long run; these can also manifest into physical ailments such as headaches and back pain. People report long work hours, unrealistic deadlines, lack of leisure time etc. to be the key risk factors for their mental health. Due to the stigma surrounding mental health, employees often feel compelled to hide their struggles instead of seeking help. This can further lead to worsening of symptoms over time which can consequently affect their overall well-being, progress at work and also the company’s bottom-line.

An Accenture report looked closely at the prevalence of mental health in the UK and revealed that over 90% of workers were touched by mental health challenges, making it imperative that organizations have conversations with their employees about mental health and well-being

Indian employees spend more time working than their counterparts in other countries, averaging about 52 hours per week. Their experiences at work determine how effectively they deal with their mental health. In a study conducted by Assocham in 2015, 42.5% of private sector employees showed signs of depression and anxiety and out of the 1.1 million active registered companies, only 1,000 have a structured Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which is meant to provide awareness and prevention workshops along with counselling services to employees and their family members. Mental health appears to be a low priority for Indian companies — in 2018, only 29% of them had a mental health action plan.

As remote working becomes the new normal for many, organisations can benefit from implementing and adapting to employee-friendly policies, and create better working environments for their people. Mental health can be tackled across three pillars — awareness, support and work culture

A one-time workshop or session on mental health won’t suffice. Confidence in the company’s ability to navigate the future is one of the top needs of employees in times of crisis, according to an Accenture research. Leading with compassion and caring for our workforces and communities is the need of the hour. Mental health needs hands-on involvement at every level of an organisation. Every employee — from the C-suite executives to line managers to entry-level workers — can contribute towards creating a mental health positive work culture.

The executive wing can set the tone for wellness and openness for the entire organisation. They can set the ball rolling for creating a mental health-positive enterprise by empowering the HR to institute policies and programmes for employee well-being. These can take the form of periodic mental health screenings, employee engagement surveys, peer support programmes and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) for employees and their family members. Executives should especially train managers across functions to identify signs of mental health distress and provide appropriate support to those who seek help. Such a commitment at the higher level can trickle down to all levels.

Managers can do a lot to reduce their team’s stress. Their management style itself can drive their team’s daily well-being. Managers should be approachable and avoid micro-management. Regular anonymised staff surveys can enable assessment of leadership qualities in an unbiased manner and give direction to course correction if needed. Being in immediate contact with employees is advantageous for managers to recognise warning signs and reach out to team members’ distress. Keeping communication channels open can help managers design interventions for team members who are struggling with extra responsibilities or sudden emergencies in their personal lives before the stress catches up with them. Managers should understand that, ultimately, there is no one-size-fits all approach to tackling mental health. Cultivating empathy and creating individual support mechanisms is essential from their end.

Lastly, every employee can take steps to ensure they are maintaining their mental health and also supporting their colleagues. Learning about signs of mental health distress aids in extending the right kind of support to struggling colleagues or in identifying them in oneself. Check in periodically with colleagues, especially if they have revealed past struggles. Also, de-stigmatise language to make it less ableist and more accepting. Doing away with advice such as “just cheer up”, “you’ll be fine”, “stop overthinking” etc. is a good first step. In turn, be empathetic, talk about your feelings and ask for help — this will develop good mental health hygiene and create a supportive environment within the team. Preventive measures such as regular exercise, eating healthy, sleeping adequately also add to optimal mental health.

Companies are trying to create healthier work cultures and reduce stigma around mental health. For example, Accenture provides mental wellness workshops, an onsite counsellor support programme and a mental wellness advocate programme to support its employees. It is also using technical expertise to design new tools offering mental health support and boosting general well-being. Employees have access to online awareness training, a confidential and professionally managed chat environment, and apps promoting mindfulness, better sleep and overall well-being. Find out more about how technology can positively impact mental health at work. Read this report.

There is significant scope for organizations to support employees and their mental health. Organizations like Accenture are working towards creating a positive and inclusive environment for their employees. Click here to find out how.

This is a partnered post.