How Startups Should Approach Mental Health for Their Employees?

As a startup ready to take off, you know the pressure that comes with an immature business model. You and your team are working hard in fast-paced environments surrounded by high expectations without the benefit of long-established policies and procedures—not exactly calming scenes! Thus, If you are an owner or manager of a fledgling company, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your employees’ mental health. But how do you go about achieving this? Read on to find out how you can take better care of the well-being of your team members.

Top tips to safeguard your employees’ mental health

1. Make mental health a priority. 

As a startup, you must prioritize this aspect of your organization to build a successful foundation for growth. Taking steps towards prioritizing mental health can:

• Increase productivity
• Foster creativity and innovation
• Reduce absenteeism
• Promote collaboration among colleagues
• Attract and retain top talent
• Create a positive corporate culture
• Boost morale and improve overall job satisfaction. 

Thus, mental health should not be treated as an afterthought but incorporated into your company’s core values and philosophies from the beginning. This can be done by implementing policies and procedures that promote employee wellness. 

Additionally, it would help if you created an open environment where employees feel comfortable speaking about their mental health issues without fear of judgment or retribution. 

2. Encourage self-care practices.

Motivating your team to practice self-care is one of the most effective ways to promote mental health in the workplace. You can also encourage them to take regular breaks throughout the day, maintain good sleeping habits, and eat a healthful diet. What about giving away workout sessions at gyms or massages at wellness centers as incentives for a job well done? That could be an out-of-the-box idea to entice them to be more intentional about taking care of themselves.

On the other hand, you can do your part as a startup employer or manager by setting realistic work expectations and goals, offering healthcare packages, and giving time off for medical appointments. You can also provide positive reinforcement and recognition when you see your employees engaging in self-care activities. 

3. Provide supportive resources. 

Investing in mental health initiatives, such as training programs in stress management techniques or mindfulness activities, can help create a happy and high-performing workplace. Other resources include online forums, support groups, and educational materials for mental health awareness. 

You can also provide access to professional counselors. These experts can offer personalized advice and guidance on managing stress or dealing with difficult situations at work or at home. By taking these steps, you can show your employees that their mental health is of vital importance to your startup.

4. Offer flexible working arrangements.

Offering flexible work hours or remote working options allows your team more autonomy over their own schedules. This can help relieve stress from tight deadlines or long hours in the office. On top of that, it can also give your employees more time for leisure activities to help them unwind, recharge, and recalibrate. This can lead to more balanced and calmer individuals with a better perspective about life. 

5. Promote positive relationships among employees.

Strong relationships between colleagues can make them feel more motivated in their tasks. So, it’s absolutely essential for your startup to invest ample time and energy in this area. 

One way to do so is by creating a culture of appreciation. To make this happen, you can:  

• Show your staff that you value their hard work and contributions. This is key to fostering an environment of respect and collaboration.
• Make sure everyone knows their job duties to manage expectations and set boundaries. This can intercept potential sources of conflict at the workplace.
• Celebrate successes and recognize individual accomplishments. 
• Provide avenues for team-building activities, such as casual lunches or group outings. These break up the daily routine, allowing coworkers to interact outside work settings and establish rapport. 

6. Listen carefully to your employees’ needs. 

Take time out of each day (or week) dedicated explicitly to listening sessions with each individual on your team. This can help you form stronger bonds with your staff and better understand how to support them both professionally and personally. 

Turn these conversations into genuine opportunities for authentic dialogue. Enable this by creating a relaxed meeting atmosphere where they can feel comfortable and confident enough to open up. 

Through such sessions, you can help your employees address and manage potential mental health issues before they escalate. If employers come across as genuinely concerned for their employees’ wellbeing, the latter will likely be more receptive toward any proposed plan to address their problems. Proper intervention can then take place. Ensure that you are able to respond with meaningful statements or solutions. 

The bottom line

If you want to create a thriving startup culture, it’s important to make mental health a priority. Promote self-care practices among your employees, provide supportive resources, offer flexible working arrangements, and encourage positive employee relationships. Most importantly, listen carefully to your employees’ needs so you can address any mental health issues early on. By applying these tips, you’ll create a healthier workplace environment that leads to greater productivity and creativity. Discover more ways of driving your company’s growth on the Unboxing Startups’ blog. Visit us today! 

Karan Jain

Born in the family of entrepreneurs and have inherited the same. Started building applications in order to pay for my tuition. Later founded a tech company, marketing agency, and media outlets.