Mental Health is Health: Promoting Psychological Health in a Corporate Setting

As we close out May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s crucial to shine a spotlight on the importance of mental health in the workplace. The corporate world can often be a high-stress environment, and without the right support, employees can experience a decline in their psychological well-being. This not only affects their personal lives but also impacts their productivity and overall performance at work.

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Canada, mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada, with 500,000 Canadians missing work each week due to psychiatric conditions. Furthermore, the economic burden of mental illness in Canada is estimated at $51 billion per year, which includes health care costs, lost productivity, and reductions in health-related quality of life.

These statistics underscore the importance of promoting psychological health in a corporate setting. Here are some strategies employers can adopt to support their employees’ mental well-being:

Create a Supportive Environment: Encourage open conversations about mental health to destigmatize mental illness. This can be achieved by organizing mental health awareness programs and providing resources for employees to learn more about mental health.

Implement Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible work schedules and the option to work from home can help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance, reducing stress and burnout.

Promote Physical Health: Physical and mental health are closely linked. Encourage employees to stay active by providing gym memberships or organizing team sports events. Healthy snacks and drinks in the cafeteria and vending machines can also contribute to overall well-being.

Provide Mental Health Resources: Offer access to counselling services and mental health professionals. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can be an invaluable resource for employees dealing with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Incorporate Wellness into Corporate Culture: Make well-being an organizational strategy. This could include activities such as mindfulness sessions, yoga classes, or workshops on stress management techniques.

Through our work as corporate interior designers, we have been witness to the profound influence that workspace design can have on employee well-being. A thoughtfully designed workspace, which accommodates various work processes and styles, can foster not only the physical, but also the cognitive and emotional well-being of employees. It can also enhance their connection to the corporate community. This holistic approach to well-being can fortify the organization’s foundation, while simultaneously reducing instances of sick leave and absences.

Promoting psychological health in the workplace is not just beneficial for employees but also for the overall success of the company. At Bennett Design, we will again be supporting mental health with year two of our STEP IT UP virtual step challenge in November. We look forward to having your join us again as all funds raised go directly to CAMH. (Follow us @StepItUpCanada on IG).