A recent Axios article highlighted the role of Gen Z in the push to promote mental health support and communications in the workplace. Amid the rise of stress, anxiety, and depression in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health has become an increasingly important issue.
Mental health has become a crucial part of a healthy and productive work environment. According to a recent Deloitte survey, younger generations, particularly Gen Z, consider mental health support and policies very important when choosing an employer. In fact, 80% of millennial and Gen Z applicants heavily weigh an organization’s mental health support and policies.
So why does Gen Z advocate for open and supportive conversations about mental health in the workplace? Below are a few reasons why mental health is so important to the younger workforce and can be a boon to an organization as a whole.
- Increased Productivity – When employees feel safe discussing their mental health concerns, they are more likely to seek help. This, in turn, helps them stay focused and engaged in their work, ultimately improving their performance.
- Reduced Stigma – Encouraging open conversations about mental health can help reduce its stigma. Employees may be less hesitant to seek assistance or share their experiences when they know their colleagues and superiors are supportive and non-judgmental. Reducing stigma can create a more inclusive and understanding work environment.
- Enhanced Employee Retention – Companies prioritizing mental health communication tend to have higher employee retention rates. When employees feel that an organization values their well-being, they are more likely to remain loyal. Retaining talent can save companies significant recruitment and training costs.
- Legal and Ethical Responsibility – Many countries have implemented laws and regulations to protect employees’ mental health rights. Employers have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe and supportive work environment. Promoting mental health communication helps organizations fulfill these obligations.
What can organizations do to support mental health in the workplace? A 2019 nationwide employee survey in Mind Share Partners found that employees want trainings and more easily accessible information about how to access mental health support. Kantola Training Solutions, an eLearning company focused on diversity, equity, & inclusion and harassment prevention, develops immersive learning experiences that support a company’s DEI goals.
Fostering open and supportive communication about mental health is more critical than ever. Gen Z’s support for this cause is a testament to the changing workplace landscape. Their commitment to mental health in the workplace highlights the need for a collective effort to create a more inclusive, understanding, and healthier work environment for all generations.
Learn more about DEI in the workplace from Kantola:
- Risk Management, How to Create Greater DEI Accountability, 4/3/2023
- EIN News, New Training Aims at Helping Organizations Make Meaningful DEI Change, 4/19/2023
- HR Daily Advisor, The DEI Journey—5 Stages of Progress, 6/6/2023
- Chief Learning Officer, Practical, powerful employee education: How interactivity supports greater learning online, 7/31/2023
Check out our other blog on Gen Z communications: