As our country continues to navigate through unprecedented times, people are still learning how to cope with the fallout of job layoffs, canceled concerts and closed restaurants, bars and schools. Many of our normal routines have been replaced with extended lengths of self-isolation and social distancing from our friends, family, and coworkers. Although we understand these efforts are intended to help slow the spread of the virus, we also can’t overlook the mental health challenges it has caused. The CDC indicates that 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse in June. Below are some strategies to prioritize the mental health of your team.
Negative Work Environments
Stress and depression in the workplace can impact everything from employee performance and productivity to engagement and communication. It’s important for businesses to recognize the warning signs of mental illnesses like depression early because it can result in higher rates of disability and unemployment. But organizations that prioritize mental health can enjoy significant economic gains by increasing productivity and reducing turnover.
Promoting a Healthy Workplace
Promoting the well-being of your team starts with addressing work-related risk factors and implementing strong health and safety practices at the administrative level. To prioritize employee mental health, consider offering self-assessment tools, clinical screenings for depression, and quality health insurance. Good healthcare coverage should offer things such as affordable prescriptions and telehealth options. Your firm could also offer free lifestyle coaching, stress management workshops, and quiet break spaces to relax.
It’s also important to embody leadership qualities that prioritize the mental health of your team including:
- Clear communication – It’s important to know what your employees are feeling. Leaders really need to listen to their concerns to help ease stress and boost organizational morale. Jobs in architecture can be tense at times due to tight deadlines and tough competition, so practicing empathy and informing employees that mental health support is available should be the norm.
- Goal setting – It’s important to set realistic goals and avoid stretching employees too far. Consider the workload of specific projects before setting individual goals. Continue motivating employees to accomplish more but respect their limits and reduce the workload if they’re struggling.
- Teamwork – An effective way to make architecture jobs less stressful is by encouraging collaboration among employees. Teamwork leads to more efficient, successful projects along with a healthy work culture.
The mental health of your employees should always be a priority. If some of them are struggling, then it could be due to unreasonable goals, a breakdown in communication, or even a lack of teamwork. Focus on improving your leadership to include empathy, active listening, and collaboration.
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