With World Mental Health Day coming up, we should be pushing towards a fairer and healthier world. One way is not dismissing the great impact caused by COVID-19 pandemic on our mental health. Making mental health days “normal” in the workplace will go a long way to improve the workforce and its productivity as more and more industries re-open.
In order to make this a reality, workplace wellness initiatives need more advocates in the executive level – beyond than human resources. Setting an example by upper management will help cut through any stigma that may exist.
Some stats: Nearly 1 in 5 US adults aged 18 or older reported any mental illness in 2016 according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In recent, KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) and The Washington Post survey poll of front line responders, “6 in 10 health-care workers say their mental health suffered from coronavirus worry.”
As reopening occurs, most employees will feel similar to what health-care workers feel – hopeful and motivated going to work, but burned out can happen quick and having dedicated mental health days will help employees to improve their wellbeing.