Promoting Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental health is just as important as physical health. When mental health goes unchecked, other aspects of life may take a toll, but there are steps we can take to manage and improve our mental well-being.

How does mental health impact the workplace?

Without the right care and support, mental health conditions can impact work capacity and productivity, and lead to increased absenteeism. Globally, it's estimated that 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, costing $1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

Anxiety
Anxiety disorder symptoms such as trouble sleeping, fatigue, difficultly concentrating and obsessive worrying can lead to impaired work performance and absenteeism.

Depression
Employees with untreated depression are often not engaged or mentally present in the workplace. It can also negatively impact overall performance, decision making, concentration, time management and communication as well as increasing absenteeism.

Impacts of mental health at home

The impact of mental health conditions reaches beyond the workplace. It can have a negative impact on a person's confidence and personal identity. Family, friends and social circles can also feel weight of their struggles.

Impacts of mental health on physical health

Our bodies and minds are both connected, it's no surprise that one can affect the other.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depression, for example, can lead to an increased risk of long-lasting conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Tips to help improve mental health

• Talk to someone. Whether it's a trusted family member, friend, or certified mental health professional, talking about mental health, life's stressors, or trauma is one of the most effective ways to overcome them.
• Get moving. Exercise releases chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin that help improve your mood. Try to incorporate about 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day such as walking, and exercises that focus on strengthening the muscles twice a week. Always consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.
• Maintain a healthy diet. A well-balanced diet with vitamins and minerals, healthy fats, and fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, can help reduce inflammation and alter neurotransmitters to reduce symptoms of depression. Also, drinking plenty of water will keep you hydrated, an important part of a healthy diet.
• Catch plenty of Zzz's. Getting enough sleep helps maintain cognitive skills such as attention to detail, learning, and memory.
• Find ways to express creativity. Hobbies and doing things that make you happy can help keep the mind stimulated and improve mental health.
• Make social connections. Spending time with friends and family, going to community events, or joining a club are all ways to get that face-to-face connection to uplift our mood.
• See your doctor regularly. Preventive health care, such as annual checkups, vaccinations, counseling, and screenings help keep you well, physically and emotionally. Illness can have a far-reaching negative impact on a person's mental health, diagnosing and treating a condition early, can reduce these effects.

How Allstate Benefits can help

When employers provide benefits that help their employees, everyone wins. Offering employees health coverage can help make mental health care more accessible. Plan members will be more likely to use their benefits and seek treatment.

Virtual Talk Therapy for adults and teens

In addition to coverage for in-office visits, employers also have the option to add telemedicine to their group health plans through Walmart Health Virtual Care. Licensed therapists can help with a wide range of mental and emotional health needs. Members receive ongoing support, on their schedule, from the comfort of their home via phone and/or video visits in as little as 48 hours and at little cost to members. Copays range from $0 - $38.

Wellness program

Keeping a regular fitness routine and working towards goals may improve mental health. Adding a wellness program can help keep employees healthier, while enhancing and protecting their lives. Allstate partners with Vitality to give you the option to offer a wellness program to your members.

Other support resources available from Allstate Benefits

Flexible family care through Papa caregivers is available to assist employees with caring for aging or ill loved ones, children, or themselves. There are also support programs for unexpected diagnoses, such as cancer.

Reach out to your Allstate Benefits - Group Health sales consultant today.

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Boost Employee Engagement in Group Health Plans