Employers addressing mental health holistically as coronavirus outbreak ends 2023
Julie Cousineau, partner and health practice leader at Normandin Beaudry, says companies are taking a more holistic approach to mental health as the coronavirus epidemic becomes endemic to ensure everyone is well-equipped and supported.
The firm reported in 2022 that approximately 50% of Canadian businesses taught their managers on mental health, up 7% from the year before.
Cousineau thinks mental health training for managers is becoming increasingly common. What happens after organizations train their managers? Entering an endemic phase has caused several modifications.
Cousineau says firms are shifting from direct involvement with individual employees to fostering a supportive workplace to avoid mental-health concerns from worsening.
Instead than only recognizing an issue, supervisors should listen and help. In the previous three years, we’ve learned that people go through different phases and handle the epidemic differently, so it’s crucial to listen and understand.
Cousineau proposes managers actively listen and include mental-health training in annual or quarterly performance reviews.
As the epidemic subsides, she suggests expanding mental-health resources. The employee help program and group benefits psychological coverage used to be commonplace. After the epidemic, there are several ways to help staff, including in-person and online resources. We’re seeing more one-stop shops where all mental-health treatments are integrated.”
Cousineau advises businesses with hybrid work arrangements to consider diversity, equity, and inclusion and each employee’s unique circumstances.
Instead of attempting to persuade employees, employers should listen to their reasons for working from home or the office. Because some employees haven’t worked in a while, they need to ease back into work. Giving staff time to adjust and reintegrate will offer longer-term advantages than short-term productivity.”
