Carolyn Langer, M.D. is the senior vice president and chief medical officer for Worcester insurer Fallon Health.
Updated: March 29, 2021
10 Things
10 Things I know about... How employers can help workers' mental health
By Carolyn Langer
The first months of the pandemic introduced new and persistent stressors to our lives. Over the past year, this stress burden has started to seem like a normal part of life.
Yet, even though we’ve gotten more accustomed to living with stress, it still affects our mental health. With an ongoing need to deal with uncertainty, social isolation, grief, illness, and societal change, many have experienced a decline. Business leaders are in a unique position to help employees.
10) Recognize the pandemic is affecting the mental health. The Center for Workplace Mental Health reports the rates of depression and anxiety have nearly tripled among adults.
9) Offer flexibility when you’re able. Employees are managing a wide range of personal responsibilities. You may see consistent productivity – and loyalty – if you can allow remote work, shifts in work hours, or other changes to mitigate stresses.
8) Incorporate self-care into everyday life. Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and maintaining healthful eating and drinking habits are all important. Taking breaks, whether to eat, help a child, or chat with a coworker, can help.
7) Be aware employees have children who are also experiencing a mental health decline. A Centers for Disease Control study showed a 24% increase in the proportion of mental-health-related emergency room visits among ages 5–11.
6) Talk about mental health to reduce the stigma.
5) Offer resources for mental illness. Let all employees know about them.
4) Remind employees medical privacy laws protect them if they disclose a mental health condition. They’re also protected if they need to request reasonable accommodations for that condition.
3) Facilitate communication. If your employees are working remotely, they may be isolated, which can lead to loneliness. Even if they do see colleagues or clients in person, they may not feel as connected.
2) Check in with your employees, whether they seem to be struggling or not. They may be good at projecting positivity, even when they don’t feel it.
1) Acknowledge how difficult it is to stay mentally healthy. Show empathy by acknowledging your stress, how you’re coping, and what you’re doing to support your own mental well-being.
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