“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unshamed conversations.” – Glenn Close, American actor.

Nothing can be more relevant than the above statement, especially in today’s scenario. Mental health discussion has been shrouded in stigma for a long time. But the Covid-19 pandemic has shifted the focus on mental health and well-being. People are now ready to have conversations about them.

The renewed focus also puts the onus on leaders at the workplaces that have turned virtual. We spend the maximum time at the workplace, devote maximum effort and energies to give our best. Virtual workplaces can be lonely and overwhelming, even as we try coping with personal responsibilities. A non-supportive workplace fails to retain employees with a direct bearing on productivity. But a supportive workplace will yield productivity, efficiency, innovation, growth, profit, and all that one needs for a business or an organization to grow. Here are the five steps organizations can take to keep a check on an employee’s well-being:

• Regular assessment of employee workload: As a team-lead or a manager, one can keep a regular tab on their team and their workload. One can have regular meetings with the team members individually and listen to their concerns if any. Resolution to those concerns will help the team members to place their faith in the manager as they feel heard.
• Taking breaks: The employees can be encouraged to take breaks at regular intervals for reading a book, catching up with a friend, having a cup of coffee, etc. This will ensure that their productivity is improved and they feel good about themselves.
• Exercise and diet: Regular exercise and a healthy diet go a long way in making good health (physical and mental). Encourage your employees to adopt a healthy lifestyle to keep themselves healthy. Having such informative sessions for employees will be of great use.
• Encourage to speak up: Supporting and encouraging people dealing with mental health issues will have a positive impact on the productivity and growth of an individual. Instead of judging the people for having such issues, lend your time to understand the challenges they are facing. You may not be an expert in mastering mental health, but all you can do is empathize with them and listen to them. Just don’t rush into giving suggestions or solutions when all they need is someone to listen.
• Have a counselor: The organizations can have a mental health counselor for employees to discuss their issues. Employees will feel more confident to open up when they know that their information will be kept confidential.

Taking some small steps for the mental well-being of the employees will result in lesser sick leaves, high turnovers, and meeting deadlines without stress. After all, a happy employee is an asset to the organization.