Categories: Business

6 Tips For Building An Employee Mental Health Program [Infographic]

There are probably few people out there in the business world, who over the last year, didn’t have to attend a virtual meeting of some kind. Whether you’re attending virtual conference calls with business partners or you had your weekly friends get together virtually, we’re all familiar with virtual meetings by now.

The prevalence of virtual meetings is not necessarily new, however, but it is taking on new avenues that extend beyond the business and leisure realm. In the last few years alone, over 40% of businesses have expanded their health care plan to include virtual visits to doctors and access to telemedicine.

In an age where better mental health practices are becoming increasingly important, smart business owners are deciding to include telehealth options because happy employees keep businesses alive.

IMAGE: UNSPLASH

What Are The Benefits?

Employee healthcare programs are not anything new, and typically most careers offer some sort of healthcare plan. But expanding the healthcare plan to include both mental health and access to virtual doctors keeps employees happier than ever.

Having access to virtual care is beneficial to both patients and doctors. For one thing, doctors can now be able to take on more patients in a day when they can diagnose someone virtually. When all you need is to talk about your prescription or ask a simple question, a virtual consultation saves your time and theirs.

Break Down The Barriers

With remote work being increasingly normalized, having access to virtual employee health means that those without a vehicle or access to transportation can seek medical help from the comfort of their own home. The comfort that the home provides has also had an effect on how often people consult their doctors as well. A study done in 2020 shows that over 70% of people are comfortable speaking on the phone to their doctor. Breaking down the barriers to medical access helps employees from all walks of life.

Taking Care Of Employee Mental Health

Employee mental health is important in our understanding of the world of health care. While giving access to virtual mental health practitioners is important, there are a number of things employers can do to help employees’ mental health, which then benefits the company in the long run.

Offer Sick Time & Vacation Time: A no-questions-asked sick leave benefit is crucial to not only employee mental health but physical health as well. If employees are ill with something contagious and they feel like they can’t miss a day of work, they will inevitably spread what they have around to others resulting in more lost time and productivity. If they need a mental health day, let them have it! Studies show that employees who are happy, are more productive in the long term. Offering generous vacation time not only keeps employees happy, but it attracts top talent as well.
Flexible Roles: When employees have the ability to work in more flexible hours and schedules, they will be more productive. Very few people enjoy working under pressure and with a lot of work moving remotely, many employees may not be working the same hours as each other. Offering flexibility gives workers a better work-life balance, which will make them happier and more likely to want to stay with the company.

Duffy & Duffy have put together some great tips you can use to begin building an employee mental health program and make a more positive impact.