How HR Professionals Can Monitor Employee Mental Health and Well-being

51% of long-term sick leave is due to stress, depression, or anxiety, highlighting the importance of supporting employees’ mental health and well-being now more than ever. With rising awareness of the importance of mental health, HR professionals have a pivotal role in ensuring their teams can thrive.

First things first: why should HR professionals prioritise employee well-being? Feeling valued and cared for at work can significantly boost an employee’s self-esteem and overall happiness. When employees feel genuinely supported, they are more comfortable opening up and sharing their personal journeys, which ensures they receive the best support. This creates a safe environment where they can express their struggles and seek help without fear of judgement. It also helps them manage stress better, maintain a healthier work-life balance, and build stronger relationships with their colleagues and managers.

By investing in your employees’ mental health, you can often see an improvement in overall job satisfaction and performance, making it a win-win for both employees and organisation. Happy, healthy employees are more productive, engaged, and less likely to take sick leave. Additionally, prioritising well-being helps to establish a positive workplace culture, enhancing teamwork and communication. Ultimately, taking care of employee well-being is a key factor in building a thriving workforce that drives success.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how HR teams can effectively monitor and support employee mental health, particularly with the aid of HR Case Management (HRCM) software. Grab a cuppa, and let's get into it!

The Role of HR in Employee Mental Health Support

As the gatekeepers of workplace culture and support, HR teams are uniquely positioned to lead the charge in mental health initiatives. This doesn't mean becoming experts overnight but rather equipping HR professionals with the right training and supporting them with robust systems to identify and address issues early on. HR professionals can create a supportive environment by implementing comprehensive mental health policies, providing access to counselling services, and promoting a culture of openness and understanding. This can involve regular training sessions – such as the St. John’s Ambulance Mental Health First Aid courses – for managers and employees to recognise the signs of mental health issues and know how to respond appropriately. 

Top Tips for HR Professionals

Now that we've covered the basics, here are some top tips to take your employee support efforts to the next level:

Regular Check-ins

Regular check-ins play a vital role in caring for your team’s mental health. These can be informal chats or structured meetings. The key is consistency. Regular interactions help build trust and give employees a chance to voice concerns before they escalate. Making these check-ins a routine part of your schedule shows employees that their well-being is a priority and that there is always a safe space for them to discuss their needs and challenges.

Promote Work-Life Balance

Encouraging a healthy work-life balance is not just about letting employees clock out on time. It’s about fostering an environment where taking breaks and having downtime is valued. Encourage your team to take regular breaks, use their holiday time, and disconnect after work hours. By doing so, you set a standard that prioritises well-being and helps prevent burnout across the organisation.

Offer Training and Resources

Equip your team with the knowledge they need. This includes training managers to help employees deal with stress  and providing resources such as access to counselling services. Online platforms like Mind and the Mental Health Foundation  offer great materials. With Sunrise HRCM, you can track both the training that employees have attended and the skills they have earned along the way, as well as allowing you to identify any gaps in knowledge and offer great materials. With Sunrise HRCM, you are able to track both the training that employees have attended and the skills they have earned along the way, as well as allowing you to identify any gaps in knowledge.

Utilise Data from HRCM Software

Use the data collected by your HRCM software to make informed decisions. Sunrise HRCM provides one easy-to-access location that stores each employee’s history and activity. So whether you are looking for details on employment history or past absences, you will find it in a click of a button. And should you need to, Sunrise allows you to generate letters to specific individuals, or even groups, from within the software using customisable templates. 

Leveraging HR Case Management Software

HR Case Management (HRCM) software can play a crucial role in supporting employee mental health. It's like having an extra pair of hands to you help manage the many aspects of employee well-being. Here’s how you can use HRCM software to monitor and support employee mental health effectively:

Employee Feedback

It's important to capture, investigate and act on any employee feedback that you receive, whether this is a praise or a complaint. The insights from your employees can give you a better idea of the experience they have within your organisation, which is incredibly important when it comes to mental well-being. However, without a controlled process, employee feedback can be lost and swept aside among email trails and discussions which can be frustrating for everyone, especially your employees. Sunrise HRCM provides a dedicated process for managing employee feedback, ensuring you can track any updates, and keeping the employee up-to-date along the way. 

Key Benefits:

- Increased visibility of all employee feedback

- Improved collaboration and communication

- Reduced calls to the HR department

Employee Management

From initial interviews to retirement, maintaining a complete view of employees is crucial. Sunrise HRCM consolidates employee details into a central location with secure access, keeping track of each employee's history. Aided with the context of an employee’s history, from absences to warning, you can make informed decisions about their mental health and well-being. This information allows you to identify patterns and address issues proactively, ensuring that employees receive the support they need to thrive.

Key Benefits:

- Improved employee relationships

- Increased productivity

- Personalised support

So, to conclude...

At the end of the day, employee well-being is the number one priority for any HR team. Monitoring and supporting employee mental health is a crucial part of creating a thriving workplace where employees feel valued and cared for. By leveraging the power of HRCM software and implementing thoughtful strategies, HR professionals can make a real difference. Remember, happy employees make for a happy, successful company – and that's a win-win for everyone. 

However, while technology like HRCM software is a fantastic tool, it's important to remember the human touch. Empathy, active listening, and genuine care can't be automated. Balance the use of technology with personal interactions to create a supportive and understanding environment.

Useful Resources 

- Mind – For a range of mental health resources and support.

- Mental Health Foundation – Offers valuable insights and tools for promoting mental well-being.

- ACAS – Provides guidance on workplace policies and employee support.

For more information on HR Case Management software, check out Sunrise Software HR Case Management