“What is an innovative strategy to address mental health in the workplace?”
This is what members, founders and experts of the YEC community had to say:
1. Help employees achieve their dreams
“One innovative strategy to promote mental health in the workplace is to help employees achieve their dreams. At our company, we have implemented a 'dream wall' where employees are encouraged to write down their top three bucket list goals. These goals range from traveling around the world to attending a Taylor Swift concert. By encouraging employees to come to work every day and see their big goals prominently displayed, we have seen significant improvements in mental health within our company. Not only do our team members reach their personal bucket list goals faster, but they also celebrate their colleagues' successes, fostering a supportive and motivating work environment. This simple yet powerful initiative has done wonders for our employees' mental wellbeing and overall job satisfaction.” ~ Robert De Los Santos, CEO, Sky High Party Rentals
2. Temporary insurance cover
“If you see a manager or employee who is already exhibiting unhealthy levels of stress and emotional turmoil, ask if someone can help or temporarily fill in for that person so they can take a short break. You can spend time relaxing, perhaps with their family or friends. Unless that person is in full control of their emotions, they are not truly contributing fully to the company. Unless you invade their privacy, find out why they are feeling that way.” ~ Zain Jaffer, CEO, Zain Ventures
3. Regular wellness check-ins
“One strategy to promote mental health in the workplace is to conduct regular 'Wellness Check-Ins.' These are structured but informal one-on-one sessions between employees and trained mental health coaches. The goal is to provide a safe space for employees to talk about their mental wellbeing, share any challenges they are facing, and receive support and resources tailored to their needs. For example, my company implemented Wellness Check-Ins as part of our broader mental health initiative. One of our team members was struggling with anxiety and feeling overwhelmed by their workload. During a Wellness Check-In, they felt comfortable talking about their issues. The manager provided immediate support, including stress management techniques and adjustments to their workload. In addition, they were connected with a professional counselor for further help. This strategy helped the individual employee feel supported and valued, but also helped create a culture of openness and caring within the team. As a result, we saw a significant improvement in overall morale and productivity as employees felt more balanced and supported in their roles.” ~ Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Founder and Creative Director, Marquet Media, LLC
4. Garden & relaxation area
“We have created a therapeutic community garden/relaxation area for employees at our rehabilitation center. This additional space is designed as a retreat where employees can relax without feeling like they have to be 'on duty.'”
Our simple but innovative strategy is “don’t show, don’t tell”. Each of our employees can choose to spend some undisturbed time in the garden by removing their name tag. This simple gesture ensures that colleagues respect their need for solitude and mental peace.
Whether you just want to unwind for 5 minutes or take a longer break of 25 minutes, the staff-only garden provides a space to relax and breathe, knowing that you always have the opportunity to escape from it all.” ~ Ashley Murry, LCSW, Chief Clinical Officer, Sana Lakes Recovery
5. Creative corporate wellness programs
“One innovative strategy I recommend for workplace mental health is offering creative corporate wellness programs. I find it particularly rewarding to work with companies to design mindful office spaces and teach employees simple exercises they can do right at their desk to reduce stress and re-energize. This way, companies can focus on maximizing their performance while a provider can take care of employee wellness. With programs like yoga, Pilates, and even meditation, all customizable to your industry, team size, and available space, companies can invest creatively in their employees' health.” ~ Echo Wang, CEO and Founder, Yoga Kawa
6. Conduct a thorough job analysis
“An effective strategy to improve mental health in the workplace is to conduct a thorough job analysis and delegate or eliminate non-essential tasks. In a tech startup environment, I observed that employees were often burdened with tasks that were outside their area of expertise, leading to stress and burnout. To counteract this, I recommended evaluating each role to identify crucial responsibilities and streamlining or delegating smaller tasks to support staff or automated systems. This approach reduced stress levels and allowed employees to focus on their core functions, increasing job satisfaction and mental well-being. Aligning tasks with employees' skills and delegating redundant tasks can create a healthier and more productive work environment. Consequently, this method not only promotes mental health but also improves overall organizational efficiency and employee morale.” ~ Kristie Tse, Founder and Therapist, Uncover Mental Health Counseling
7. Offer mental health days
“We can address mental health in the workplace by introducing 'mental health days' as a standard benefit. This idea was inspired by a team member who shared that they were on the verge of burnout but felt they couldn't take a day off without a 'sickness' reason. Mental health days allow employees to take time off specifically for their wellbeing without giving a reason. Since implementing this policy, we've seen an increase in morale and productivity. One colleague even spent their day off at a cat cafe and came back not only refreshed, but full of new ideas and a newfound love of cats! By treating mental health as much of a priority as physical health, we've created a more supportive and effective work environment.” ~ Rachel Beider, CEO, PRESS Modern Massage
8. Flexible working hours and remote working options
“In my experience, one of the most innovative strategies a company can implement to support mental health is to offer flexible working hours and the option to work remotely. Giving employees more control and autonomy over their work lives has been shown to significantly reduce stress and improve wellbeing. When people have the freedom to adjust their work hours as needed or work from home, they feel less overwhelmed by rigid schedules and demands. They can make time to exercise, connect with loved ones, or simply rest when they're feeling stressed or anxious. Overall, flexibility and balance are key to maintaining a healthy, productive, and happy workforce.” ~ Sunaree Komolchomalee, HR Director, Cupid PR
Image: Envato