How your mental health culture impacts the stress level in your organization

Stress Awareness Month (April) came and went. That does not mean the work to prevent stress at the office has to end; on the contrary. Let’s dive into what can be put into place today!

While stress is felt at a very personal level, and we all have different ways of experiencing and coping with it, organizational culture plays a significant role in shaping employees’ stress levels. That is why it is essential to understand and foster a positive mental health culture within your organization. The well-being of your staff at work (and, to some extent, at home) impacts your business’s success and should be a priority.

How Culture and Stress Are Intertwined

As mentioned above, we are all different and have different ways of communicating, understanding, working, and relating.

Managing a team of individuals is a challenge, and how we deal with that challenge can tremendously impact the employees’ stress levels.

• leadership style: Top-down & need to know basic leadership styles tend to create silo and anxiety as employees do not see the full impact of their work and have no power over what they do and how to do it.

• Communication channels: Communication done solely online in written form, back-and-forth emails instead of face-to-face time, can create stress, especially as the written form does not convey the tone and lacks the body language information for people to understand the message truly. It often leads to misunderstanding and frustration.

• Work-life balance initiatives: If there are no ways to find flexibility in your work hours, you can quickly feel trapped and unable to feel engaged.

• No mental health support: a company that does not talk about well-being or mental health and does not provide any type of information, resources, or support in that area is definitely more prone to pay the consequences of high stress and other issues. The employees have no way to get help and tend to ignore their symptoms until it is too late.

All of these, and many more, will play a role in the type of environment you create and the stress level that that environment will generate.

Don’t let your Culture Sabotage your Productivity.

On the flip side, companies showing signs of toxic culture (excessive workload, stigma around mental health…) see high turnover and higher absenteeism.

Sometimes, we are so “deep in it” that it is hard to realize what our Culture is truly about.

But like for any relationship, there are some red flags to look out for, especially if you can identify more than one:

• When you or your colleagues are being belittled by your superior or other colleagues,
• If the communication is always negative and critical,
• When there is a particularly high turnover
• When Office Drama is King
• An overall feeling of stagnation (no celebration of wins, no advancement…)

Curious to learn more about toxic culture? Check out our dedicated article on the topic.

Creating a Supportive Mental Health Culture:

Our overall well-being is impacted by many inputs. Creating a supportive mental health culture is multifaceted and often an intricate combination of good leadership, open communication, and mental health resources, for example: Companies with strong mental health cultures show higher employee satisfaction, job engagement, productivity, innovation, and collaboration.

We have identified 10 key practices for creating an exceptional company culture, learned through observing the successes of our own customers:

1. Education and Awareness: They host workshops and/or seminars to educate employees about mental health, including common disorders, coping mechanisms, and the importance of seeking help. They incorporate mental health awareness into regular training sessions or orientations for new hires. How does it help reduce stress?Understanding mental health issues, their symptoms, and coping mechanisms empowers your employees and gives them the ability to express their needs more effectively. It also helps reduce stigma and shame, which is an important source of stress.
2. Open Communication: They have open-door policies under which individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns with managers, HR, or designated support personnel. How does it help reduce stress? Encouraging open communication allows individuals to express their concerns and know where to seek support.
3. Mental Health Resources: They provide access to mental health resources such as counseling services, therapy sessions, or support groups…They work with third parties that provide professional counseling services and referrals to mental health professionals. How does it help reduce stress? People suffering from mental health problems need simple tools and strategies to cope with stress. While it is important to have support at work, HR teams or colleagues are not mental health professionals; their help can only go so far. Seeking professional help when needed can prevent stress from escalating into more serious mental health issues
4. Flexible Work Arrangements: They allow for flexible work hours or remote work options (when possible) to accommodate individuals’ mental health needs. They are not afraid to encourage employees to take regular breaks throughout the day to recharge and prevent burnout. How does it help reduce stress? Flexibility in work can alleviate stress by reducing the pressure to balance work and personal responsibilities. It allows individuals to manage their time better and prioritize self-care activities, ultimately leading to a healthier work-life balance.
5. Promote Work-Life Balance: They minimize excessive overtime and encourage employees to prioritize self-care and leisure activities outside of work. They organize team-building events or recreational activities to foster a sense of community and connection among employees. How does it help reduce stress? A well-rested and balanced workforce is more resilient to stressors and can perform better in their roles.
6. Normalize Self-Care Practices: They integrate self-care practices into the workplace culture, such as mindfulness sessions, yoga classes, or meditation breaks. How does it help reduce stress? Integrating self-care practices into the workplace culture promotes stress management and resilience. Mindfulness, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can help individuals unwind and alleviate stress during busy workdays.
7. Lead by Example: They encourage leadership to openly discuss their own experiences with mental health challenges and demonstrate vulnerability. They also train their managers to recognize signs of distress in their team members and offer support without stigmatization. How does it help reduce stress? By creating a culture of vulnerability and support, employees will feel more comfortable seeking help and discussing their own struggles.
8. Create Supportive Policies: They prioritize mental health at the value and policy levels within the organization. They have anti-discrimination policies that protect individuals from being penalized for their mental health status. How does it help reduce stress? Implementing policies that support mental health, such as flexible sick leave or accommodations for mental health conditions, shows the employees that they are officially supported by the company.
9. Promote a Positive Work Environment: They foster a culture of appreciation and recognition to boost morale and reinforce a sense of belonging. They encourage teamwork and collaboration over competition. How does it help reduce stress? Teamwork, recognition, and appreciation create a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation or burnout.
10. Regular Evaluation and Feedback: They conduct regular surveys or assessments and gather feedback from employees on areas for improvement. They use data-driven insights to refine strategies and tailor support services to meet the organization’s evolving needs. How does it help reduce stress? By regularly assessing the effectiveness of mental health initiatives and gathering feedback from employees, organizations can identify stressors and areas for improvement. Tailoring support services to meet individuals’ evolving needs can reduce stress and enhance overall well-being.

Some of these are easier to put into place than others, but there are some low-hanging fruits your company can implement today! It is never too late to improve your culture and reap the benefits on a personal and professional level.