With workplaces adapting to the impact of the pandemic, economic uncertainties, and volatility in the market, stress levels among the workforce are on a constant rise. In a short time, people at work around the world have experienced numerous challenges affecting their professional and personal lives; ranging from work-related stress to the loss of loved ones during the pandemic. Navigating these tough phases and the challenges involved in adapting to the new normal have had a profound impact on the levels of mental health and emotional well-being of the workforce.

Suresh Kumar Chitralayam, who is the director of People and Operation WNS Vuram, is telling about this.

A well-planned support system with kindness and compassion is the key to tackling the mental health challenge in the workplace. Shaping a trust-based ecosystem at work with an empathy-first approach can nurture a happy, productive, innovative, and resilient workforce. Here are some of the reasons why workplaces need to build adequate support systems to promote mental health and well-being at work:

Accelerating adaptability while ensuring happiness

To future-proof businesses and promote people’s well-being, lending adequate support for maintaining mental health is crucial. Promoting mental health in the workforce enhances the learning experience and improves adaptability by reducing resistance to change. Creating a sustainable working environment that addresses the workplace mental health and emotional well-being of the workforce allows organizations to navigate change effectively. Besides providing employees with support and resources, organizations must strive to normalize access to mental health to encourage their workforce to take advantage of the initiatives and attain peak mental health, happiness at work, and maintain work-life balance.

Nurturing an innovation culture

Maintaining a conducive and supportive environment at the workplace is essential to help employees to attain the right mindset for continuous improvement, learning, and nourishing an innovation mindset. Securing support to work in a stress-free environment improves productivity levels and motivates people to find unique ways and solutions to improve aspects of work. Initiatives that promote open communication, effective listening, opportunities to be heard, and address emotional stress, improve culture alignment at the workplace, and nurture innovative mindset and creativity.

Kindness and compassion are the keys to unlocking a vibrant future

Beyond innovative initiatives and support systems to ensure mental health, a kind and compassionate approach toward people relations go a long way in making an organization resilient and efficient. With businesses embracing tech adoption and a combined human and digital workforce slowly becoming the new normal, it is of paramount importance to preserve the human factor across aspects of operations and business functions to preserve comfort zones and not alienate the human elements. Organizations need to focus on humanizing communications and operations driven by kindness and compassion to positively influence people in the organization.

Final thoughts

One of the most practical ways for people at work to support each other and to normalize access to mental health support is by forming employee resource groups (ERGs) and providing access to certified counselors in a confidential setting. Beyond the practical help, focus on aligned areas, including diversity, equity, and inclusion plays a critical role in ensuring a welcoming and inclusive ecosystem at work.

Workforce to face future challenges

To stay resilient during trying times, initiatives and resources to provide holistic support for the workforce are vital throughout all times. While it helps to resolve immediate challenges, the support systems in place condition the workforce to face future challenges with confidence and resolve. The deep-down impact of workplace mental health is undeniable. As technology transforms businesses and connects previously unrelated industries to work closely, the scope of focus on workplace mental health is ever-expanding, making it vital for workplaces to build the necessary support systems to ensure people’s emotional and mental well-being.