World Mental Health Day 2023: Incentives and Programs to Drive Employee Well-Being

In today's fast-paced work world, mental health concerns are a growing challenge. The relentless demands of the modern workplace such as tight deadlines and constant connectivity have placed an unprecedented strain on individuals. As a result, mental health becomes a prevalent issue. 

This World Mental Health Day, empower your employee towards better mental health. In this article, we provide you with an overview of the state of employee well-being and a list of incentives and programs that you can implement at work to give your employees a healthier work environment and wellness. 

The State of Employee Well-Being and the Need for Employee Engagement 

Mental health challenges are a significant concern in workplaces. 19 percent of U.S. workers said they have fair or poor mental health. Individuals who felt this way had four times more unplanned absences. 

Over a 12-month period, this is equivalent to nearly 12 days of unplanned absences compared to the 2.5 days for other workers with better mental health. This missed work can annually cost an estimated $47.6 billion due to lost productivity. 

It was also found that women and younger workers are more likely to experience fair or poor mental health, with 23 percent of women experiencing it and 31 percent of workers under the age of 30. 

On top of this, 57 percent of workers can't confirm the existence of accessible support for mental health in their workplace. 24 percent said these services are unavailable where they work, and another 33 percent are unaware of their availability.¹ 

Gallup found that engagement is one of the keys to improving a worker's mental health in the workplace. However, only 32 percent of workers in the U.S. are currently engaged. Workers who were categorized as engaged were five times more likely to say their job extremely positively impacted their mental health over the previous six months. 

On the other hand, actively disengaged workers were over six times more likely to say that their job extremely negatively impacted their mental health.² 

Engagement is Key: Incentives and Programs to Cultivate Your Employees' Well-Being 

Take the time to engage your employees through programs and incentives that can benefit their well-being. Here are some activities that you can consider implementing to drive employee well-being. 

Give your employees the voice to improve their work environment. 

The first step to engaging your employees is to know what they need to thrive at work. They know best what can help them best. Get to know them better with your human resources (HR) team. 

You can assign a few HR members to conduct individual interviews or send out surveys via email. The purpose of asking them is to find out how they are at work right now and, based on the information you gather, to create an action plan to give them a healthier work environment. 

See what incentives are commonly brought up during the interviews and surveys and consider prioritizing those. You can conduct these interviews or surveys regularly, either quarterly or yearly, to make sure every member of your team is doing well, and their needs are addressed appropriately. 

Related Reading: 10 Quality Traits of a Leader 

Encourage and normalize mental health consultations. 

When you encourage and normalize consultations for mental health, you create a supportive environment for your employees. This means your team members will be more encouraged to seek help when they need it, which can lead to early intervention and the improvement of their mental health. 

It also shows you are committed to caring for them, which can lead them to be more satisfied with their jobs. Take a page from software company Atlassian and provide your employees with valuable tools and resources to enhance their mental well-being. Atlassian offers a range of top-notch perks, including consultations, therapy sessions, wellness classes, meditation sessions, and more. 

They provide 24/7 counseling services and referrals not only for employees but also for their household members. It's a holistic approach to nurturing mental health.³

Related Reading: 9 Wellness Initiatives for a Vibrant and Energized Workforce 

Boost well-being with wellness challenges. 

These challenges motivate your team to set and reach health goals whether it’s getting fit or eating better. It’s also important to recognize and reward their achievements. 

For instance, Allied OneSource hosts the Allied in Motion challenges. It’s all about enhancing physical and mental health through quarterly contests. Consider adopting similar challenges in your workplace like walking competitions, sharing healthy recipes, and practicing meditation. It’s a fun way to promote well-being among your employees. 

Participate in community engagement initiatives. 

Create opportunities for your employees to make a positive impact on their communities through volunteer work or charity events. This not only fosters a sense of purpose but also enhances overall well-being. 

At Allied OneSource, we're proud to host the Allied In Action in Action program, where we organize quarterly charity events and volunteering opportunities. For instance, you can encourage your team to participate in local food drives, clean-up initiatives, or charity runs. It strengthens the bonds among your employees while contributing to your community's well-being. 

Extend employee assistance programs (EAPs). 

EAPs offer confidential counseling and support services, not just for employees but for their families too. Whether it's dealing with personal issues or work-related challenges, EAPs can provide assistance, guidance, and a listening ear. 

In addition to EAPs, you can create peer support groups within your organization. These groups offer a safe space for employees to openly discuss and address the various challenges life throws their way. 

Whether it's coping with stress, navigating the complexities of parenthood, or enhancing career development, our peer support groups foster a sense of community and provide a platform for employees to share experiences and offer support to one another. 

Implement flexible work hours. 

Striking the right balance between work and personal life is crucial for your team's well-being. As such, consider offering flexible work hours and remote work options. For instance, employees can choose to start their workday a bit earlier or later, depending on their personal schedules. 

This flexibility allows them to attend family events, manage their daily commitments, or simply enjoy some much-needed downtime. 

Create wellness spaces in the office. 

If you have unused rooms or vacant corners in your office that are spacious enough and free of noise, fill them with items that can help your employees manage or release their stress.

You can provide them with self-help books and yoga mats. You can also provide them with individual lockers where they can keep medicines, stress balls, and other items that can help them feel better. 

Creating wellness spaces for your employees signifies that they belong in your company and that you care for them because they have a space they can run to when they need to relax or recharge. 

Related Reading: Taking Care of Your Employees: The Importance of Valuing Workers' Wellness and a Slow Work Mindset 

Celebrate World Mental Health Day through effective and enjoyable wellness programs. 

Improve employee mental health and well-being by engaging your employees. This month, take the time to get to know them by joining them in the programs and incentives you choose to implement. You deserve to be well too. 

By being well, you can lead your employees to thrive in their roles as you build together a company culture founded on genuine support for each other. 

BUILD A TEAM YOU CAN NURTURE TO WELLNESS WITH ALLIED ONESOURCE 

If you're looking for employees who seek the same workplace wellness you want to build, Allied OneSource can help you find the best candidates to fit your hiring needs in Customer Service, Light Industrial, Accounting, Manufacturing, and more. 

Get in touch with us today to know more about our solutions. 

References 

1 Witters, Dan, and Sangeeta Agrawal. "The Economic Cost of Poor Employee Mental Health." Gallup, 3 Nov. 2022, www.gallup.com/workplace/404174/economic-cost-poor-employee-mental-health.aspx. 

2 Witters, Dan, and Sangeeta Agrawal. "The Best Management Secrets for Impacting Employee Mental Health." Gallup, 16 Dec. 2022, www.gallup.com/workplace/406811/best-management-secrets-impacting-employee-mental-health.aspx. 

3 "Candidate Resource Hub." Atlassian, www.atlassian.com/company/careers/resources/perk-and-benefits/global/united-states. Accessed 30 Aug. 2023.