How HR can support employee mental wellness

April is Stress Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time for organisations to reflect on what they’re doing to support employee wellbeing and to identify areas of improvement. In the face of change and uncertainty, stress levels are elevated, with more than half of employees reporting that they frequently experience stress at work.

Here are a few free and low-cost ideas for organisations to help reduce employee stress:

1. Provide mental health resources

When employees are already feeling stressed and overwhelmed, finding solutions can be difficult. A wellbeing centre is a great option to address all areas of wellbeing, with mindfulness and meditation resources, workout videos, healthy recipes and more available to employees. If you don’t have the budget to invest in wellbeing programmes right now, there are plenty of free or low-cost apps you can recommend to employees that will help them better manage stress.

2. Offer flexible working

Over the last few years, we’ve seen dramatic changes to how and where we work. We’ve seen an influx of hybrid and remote working as a result of the pandemic, and it’s here to stay. Giving employees flexibility in terms of when and where they work can be a great benefit to reduce stress. Whether they need to pick up their kids from school, squeeze in a workout at lunch or meditate between meetings, flexible working allows employees to prioritise their self care.

3. Implement mental health training

In a recent survey, 64% of employees rated 'a manager who cares' as must-have for 2023, so equipping managers with tools to help their employees is a great step to take.

Consider providing mental health training for managers and employees – this will help managers identify and support various struggles their people might be experiencing, and will give employees tools for managing stress.

4. Invest in employee recognition

Recognition can have a great impact on wellbeing, with 72% of employees agreeing that their wellbeing at work would improve if they were thanked for their efforts more often. Building a culture of appreciation where employees feel valued by their peers and managers can reduce burnout and motivate employees to continue to show up every day and give their best. Consider investing in a digital employee recognition programme that will allow employees and managers to recognise each other no matter where they work.

We hope that these ideas have provided you with some inspiration to continue or start the dialogue around mental health and stress at your organisation. If you’re looking for more wellbeing tips and resources throughout the year, be sure to subscribe to our blog below so you don’t miss out on the latest content.