Every year on October 10th, the World Health Organization unites people around the globe to shine a spotlight on mental health. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is “mental health at work,” and we’re proud to join the conversations around how to build a safe and healthy working environment for healthcare professionals.
Healthcare workers across the country are under immense pressure—to the point that almost 50% of them have reported feeling burnt out.
In the wake of COVID-19, these challenges have been exacerbated due to an influx of patients, limited supplies, long days, and an ongoing labor shortage. Healthcare workers have always persevered through all the challenges thrown at them; however, they’re still human—and being stretched too thin inevitably impacts their mental health.
Every year on October 10th, the World Health Organization unites people around the globe to shine a spotlight on mental health. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is “mental health at work,” and we’re proud to join the conversation by sharing resources on how to build a safe and healthy working environment for healthcare professionals.
4 Ways to Improve Mental Health At Work
When healthcare practices take good care of their employees and promote a culture of mental health, they’re also paving the way for better patient care. According to the Department of Health & Human Resources, “Our health depends on the well-being of our health workforce.”
Here are four things healthcare leaders can do to focus on mental health within their practice:
#1: Foster a supportive and open culture
When employees have the freedom to express their thoughts and opinions openly at work, without being criticized or reprimanded, they often feel more supported and are more likely to speak up when facing challenges.
With over 93% of U.S. healthcare workers experiencing stress, its crucial to foster a culture of open communication. Employees need to feel comfortable discussing their challenges with healthcare leaders in order to alleviate the stress that often leads to burnout.
Some simple options to make employees feel more supported include:
- Hosting town hall meetings with leaders
- Creating surveys to collect feedback
- Training managers to seek more employee input
- Providing access to mental health resources
#2: Implement Employee Recognition Programs
Do your employees feel recognized and valued for their contributions? Healthcare can be a high-stress field, so when employees are putting in the tough work and aren’t getting recognized for their contributions, it can be somewhat of a blow to the ego.
So, how do you effectively recognize your employees?
This is where you can get creative! Imagine you have an employee who received a positive patient testimonial. As a “thank you,” you could award them Employee of the Month, share the news in an internal newsletter, or send them a gift card.
Here are a few other ideas for recognizing employees:
- Provide opportunities for learning or continuing education
- Host a lunch or company get-together
- Provide extra PTO or financial rewards
#3: Utilize Technology
Outdated and overcomplicated software is one of healthcare workers’ most common annoyances, often absorbing critical time that could be spent focusing on patients. But the right healthcare technology lifts the burden of administrative tasks while helping you and your employees focus on what you do best—delivering exceptional care.
By investing in an integrated solution that helps your employees streamline their workflows, they’ll feel a significant weight lifted off their shoulders. There’s less room for errors and duplications, and everything is in one secure system—which inevitably decreases employee stress.
#4: Lead by example
Promoting mental health may seem simple, but the real challenge comes with practicing what you preach.
When healthcare leaders can set an example for the healthy behaviors they’re promoting, employees are more inclined to follow suit. By regularly taking breaks, enjoying PTO, communicating openly, and utilizing time-saving resources, healthcare leaders embody the true spirit of mental health, leading to more employees feeling inclined to do the same.
In honor of World Mental Health Day, we encourage you to evaluate how your practice supports your employees’ mental health. Healthcare workers spend countless hours caring for patients so they can have a healthier future—and they deserve it too.
