Don’t Let Mental Health Support Weaken Post-Pandemic
Mental health programs have been developing and growing in very positive, encouraging ways throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a significant uptick in the amount of value both society and business have placed on mental health, and much progress has been made in securing better mental health benefits for employees across the board.
But as people approach a post-pandemic world, the care that has been placed on mental health must not be disregarded. The support that has been generated, especially over the last two years, has gone a long way in securing happier, healthier lifestyles for employees around the world. Lessening that support could cause harm to your employees and your business. To better understand this, let’s take a look at the effects the pandemic has had on mental health, current support provided in the workplace, and a few of the key benefits continued mental health support will provide.
For more information on mental health benefits, or to receive a quote, contact Beckham Insurance Group today.
Pandemic Effects on Mental Health
The far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted countless aspects of normal day-to-day life, from physical health to social interactions to work-life and so much more. But perhaps one of the biggest effects it has had is the toll it’s taken on the mental health of people all around the world.
Because of the virus and everything associated with it, individuals have become much more stressed, anxious, lonely, and depressed–some even are even dealing with high-level trauma responses like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other clinical mental health problems that were less far-reaching pre-pandemic. The effects of this virus have even impacted people’s personalities and lifestyles in ways no one could have predicted.
Current Mental Health Support in Workplaces
At the beginning of the pandemic, healthcare professionals began to realize how impactful the virus was on individuals beyond physical healthcare concerns. This enabled them to communicate that information to companies, allowing them to begin to put stronger, more accessible, and beneficial mental health care programs in place for their employees.
Employers have been actively promoting mental health to their employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is rising concern that as COVID numbers level out and improve, the mental health strategies implemented by companies may revert back to their pre-pandemic states. This is largely because of the discrepancies between what employers are willing to provide employees post-pandemic and what employees are actually looking for now.
With all the difficult changes that people have faced in the past two years, employees are taking action to prioritize their mental health, even going so far as to quit long-term positions in favor of those that will provide them with the mental health support they require.
Benefits of Continuing Mental Health Support
The benefits of continuing to provide mental health support to your employees cannot be understated. In recent years, we have seen many positive results associated with better mental health support in the workplace, so reducing those benefits will not only hurt your employees but your company as well. Let’s take a look at a few of the top advantages that high-level mental health support benefits provide.
Attract and Retain Top Talent
With employees becoming more willing to leave roles for better-benefitted alternatives, it should come as no surprise that keeping your current mental health benefits, even as the pandemic lessens, can help you retain your employees and reduce your turnover rates. Employees have greatly benefited from this kind of support, so removing or reducing it can cause your turnover rates to spike.
Additionally, if you retain and continue working to provide top-level mental health support for your employees, you will give your company an edge over those competitors who choose to reduce their mental health programming. This will allow you to better attract top-talented individuals who prefer your benefits package and care over other businesses.
Boost Productivity and Morale
Promoting good mental health among your employees has a great impact on their lives by encouraging them to engage in behaviors that will help them become happier individuals. And, when your employees are more content in their personal lives, that disposition will spill over into the workplace creating an environment of positivity for the whole workforce.
Additionally, improved moods and better mental health can also promote productivity and lower both absenteeism and stress. This can save your company time and money as your workforce is not only working together, but working well thanks to the value your company places on their mental well-being.
Employee Benefits Made Easy
At Beckham Insurance Group, our knowledgeable and experienced employee benefits representatives are here to help make your benefits administration as easy and stress-free as possible. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you build a competitive and comprehensive benefits program.
