Over half of the global population is working, but a shocking 15% of working-age adults go through their day-to-day life with a mental disorder.

Mental wellness is a critical workplace concern, especially in today’s hectic business environments. Although it affects employees across all levels, from entry-level staff to executives, leaders bear the responsibility of caring for it.

With managers having a major impact on mental health, supporting their teams’ well-being is no longer optional. This makes sense, mainly because they work together for eight hours a day.

Since leaders significantly affect workers’ welfare, knowing how to support their own mental wellness, as well as others’, is critical. To help you understand how it can be done, we’ll dive into the intricacies of workplace mental health, then share some helpful strategies that nurture it.

What mental health struggles at work look like

To effectively support your teams, you must recognize the manifestations of mental wellness issues. Since they can be either subtle or overt, we’ll walk you through the most common ones.

Decreased productivity

A decline in productivity is a typical indicator of someone struggling mentally. For instance, they may find it difficult to meet deadlines, efficiently complete tasks, or sustain their performance levels.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, in fact, found 33% of employees saying their productivity suffered because of mental health issues, while 36% stated their mental wellness declined due to work demands.

Increased absence

A spike in absenteeism is another visible sign of mental challenges. You may, for example, notice someone taking frequent sick days or regularly reporting to work late.

This trend is particularly strong in Gen Z. In the UK, a recent study found this younger workforce demographic missing the equivalent of one work day each week because of mental health issues.

Vitaly, a health and life insurance company, even found Gen Z employees losing an average of 54 productive days annually.

Difficulty concentrating

Mental health issues can impair cognitive functions, leading to lapses in processing speed, memory, attention, and focus.

These subtle signals may fly under the radar, so, if you notice a worker having trouble staying engaged in their tasks, offer your support. They may already be grappling with mental difficulties.

Unkempt appearance

Personal appearance can be influenced by various factors, but noticeable changes like an employee neglecting personal hygiene or grooming, may signal distress.

Although it may be an observable indicator, make sure to approach it sensitively, as it can be a delicate subject for the individual.

Erratic behavior

The 2023 Work in America Survey by the American Psychological Association reveals details that suggest a correlation between workplace conditions and behavioral changes.

Those who described their workplace as toxic, for instance, were more than twice as likely to report fair or poor overall mental health (58%) compared to those who didn’t (21%).

So, if a certain employee displays uncharacteristic mood swings, irritability, or social withdrawal, they may already be suffering from struggles with mental wellness.

Importance of addressing mental health struggles

Recognizing and addressing mental health challenges in the workplace is essential, as they pose significant repercussions to not only you, but also your employees and team dynamics.

Impact on leaders

Supervisors, senior managers, and executives live with the pressure of leadership, as their actions can pose significant consequences for their organizations and stakeholders.

When faced with mental health issues that fly under the radar, their ability to lead effectively diminishes. Besides having difficulty focusing and being productive, their decision-making ability takes a hit as well, and this can impact everyone.

Impact on productivity

As we mentioned, when left unattended, problems with mental wellness can impede productivity. When instances of missed project timelines, absenteeism, and subpar performance compound, it can result in significant losses for any organization.

A study by Gallup, for instance, projected that employees in the United States (US) with fair or poor mental health to have almost 12 days of unplanned absences annually. When generalized across the workforce, this lost productivity can cost the US economy $47.6 billion per year!

Impact on team dynamics

Keep in mind that the underperformance and behavioral changes caused by mental issues don’t affect just the struggling employee, but those around them as well.

For instance, when unaccomplished tasks and projects pile up, teammates have to pick up the slack, significantly increasing their workload and stress. Mood swings and irritability can even trigger disputes, giving rise to workplace conflicts and damaging team cohesion.

Impact on employees

In the Philippines, 87% of employees experience work-related mental health issues—11% higher than the global average. These personnel, at the same time, report feeling the following effects:

  • Disengagement and burnout: 54% say they work remotely so they don’t have to come to the office, 85% are considering taking a break from work, and 68% think of quitting.
  • Company satisfaction: 68% are pleased with their employer’s support during personal difficulties. For those experiencing burnout, however, the rate dips to 58%.

Based on the figures mentioned, it’s safe to say that challenges with mental wellness don’t only erode one’s job satisfaction, but can strongly influence turnover as well.

Role of leaders in creating an inclusive and supportive environment

At this point, you may be wondering how leaders play a critical role in creating mentally healthy workplaces. They, in fact, have the power to set the tone for their teams and the entire organization:

  • Superiors influence employee mental health: A 2023 study by the Workforce Institute at UKG found 69% of workers saying their manager has a greater impact on their mental health than their therapist or doctor—similar to that of a spouse or partner.
    • Poor leadership is detrimental: Toxic leadership styles can erode employee confidence and significantly increase stress, causing plummets in employee performance.
  • Inclusive leadership matters: As reported by Forbes, fostering a sense of belonging can improve job performance by 56%, as well as reduce sick days by 75% and turnover risk by 50%.

Considering these aspects, it’s obvious that the responsibility of cultivating an uplifting and supportive environment falls on your shoulders.

Ways leaders can support their teams’ mental wellness

To bolster your efforts in creating a workplace where employees feel valued, safe, and respected, here are some strategies that promote their mental health.

Lead by example

Employees typically see leaders as examples and emulate their behavior. This applies to how they see mental wellness as well. To promote positive approaches among your teams, do the following:

  • Practice self-care: Demonstrate the importance of maintaining your own physical and mental health by performing stress management techniques like exercising, meditating, or taking regular breaks. Taking such steps normalizes positive habits among workers.
  • Set boundaries: Modeling a healthy work-life balance encourages employees to respect their own limits without guilt. So, avoid work-related emails after hours or take personal time off, as this promotes burnout prevention and a stable culture.

Establish open communication channels

Allowing employees to freely talk about the challenges they face can strongly uplift their mental state. The information they share can be used to create plans of action as well. This will involve:

  • Regular check-ins: Schedule one-on-one and team meetings to discuss employee progress, challenges, and well-being. Open-ended questions are also great for uncovering individual concerns.
  • Empathy: This emotional intelligence (EI) skill is key to building trust. Placing yourself in workers’ shoes lets you acknowledge their struggles without judgement, and a simple offer of support can go a long way.

Provide mental health resources

Giving your workforce access to assets, such as mental health wellness programs, that support their mental welfare is an excellent way of addressing any underlying issues.

Emovation’s ElevateMinds programs, for example, are designed to nurture multiple elements that contribute to mental wellness. They encompass aspects such as:

  • Anxiety and stress management
  • Psychological safety
  • Emotion regulation

We even connect you with professionals who provide mental health consultations, counseling, psychotherapy, and more—all of which are vital for assessing and addressing your concerns. 

Exercise flexibility

Rigid workplace practices can stress employees out. Return-to-office (RTO) mandates, for example, if strictly implemented, expose them to long commutes and traffic, a loss of autonomy, the readjustment to office dynamics, and less work-life balance.

To mitigate such challenges, you can:

  • Offer remote work options: Provide hybrid or fully work-from-home opportunities when possible to accommodate employees’ personal needs. The availability of this alternative may depend on the worker’s role, but it significantly reduces their day-to-day hassles.
  • Allow adaptable schedules: Let team members modify their hours or workloads during difficult periods. For example, enabling them to work at convenient times or reduced hours can help them maintain performance without feeling overwhelmed.

Create a culture of inclusivity and support

As we mentioned, inclusive leadership matters, and it’s key to creating a supportive workplace. Here are some steps that can help you cultivate an environment that uplifts mental wellness:

  • Destigmatize mental health issues: To normalize discussions around mental welfare, tackle it in team meetings or newsletters. You can share your own experiences to break down barriers as well.
  • Encourage team activities: Strong interpersonal connections can reduce the feeling of isolation and foster camaraderie. So, conduct team-building exercises, wellness challenges, and informal social gatherings whenever possible.

Recognize and reward efforts

A disparity between effort and reward potentially results in poor mental wellness. To mitigate such a risk, show your employees proper appreciation. You can do this by:

  • Celebrating small wins: Acknowledging someone’s achievements, no matter how minor, shows employees that you value their contributions. This boosts morale as well.
  • Offering mental health breaks: Employees can’t perform if their minds aren’t in the best state. Designated days off or short breaks, besides lunch, can help them recharge.
  • Personalizing recognition: Tailoring rewards to individual preferences shows you care about employees’ interests—think of gift cards to their favorite establishments.

Wrapping up—Supportive leadership is key for workplace mental wellness

Employees wrestling with mental health struggles can’t perform optimally, and sweeping such concerns under the rug isn’t an option. To drive teams to be their best selves, leaders must foster a culture that values awareness, inclusivity, and support.

Taking proactive steps to address issues with mental wellness, meanwhile, not only benefits you and your employees, but also the entire organization and its long-term success.

So, if you want to lead with empathy and build the foundation for an uplifting workplace, get in touch! We’ll readily provide assistance.