Providing support for employees’ mental health and well-being is critical to any successful organization. However, that can be a challenge in a community like Flint and Genesee County, where complex economic and social challenges affect mental health.
Not only are the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Flint water crisis well-known stressors for residents, the Michigan State University Health Equity Report Card has identified several other systemic issues in Genesee County. Many Genesee County residents experience depression, substance use disorder, higher risk for suicide, and other mental health concerns. Social determinants of health – where we live, work, travel, play, worship, etc. – can have a big impact on health and mental health. We often spend more time working than doing anything else, so here are some ways local employers can make sure their employees feel supported.
1. Understand the community and its needs. The MSU Health Equity Report Card provides a wealth of information about the Genesee County community and challenges employees may be facing. The report is available at FlintResearch.org. Resources for mental health, substance use, practical needs, and other issues for employees in Genesee County can be found at FlintResourceGuide.mystrikingly.com. The Greater Flint Health Coalition and Genesee Health System also both offer comprehensive resource guides on their websites that employers can access.
2. Offer mental health benefits. Providing health benefits that cover mental health services is a fundamental way employers can support their employees. Ensuring that your insurance plans provide adequate coverage for therapy, counseling, and psychiatric services is essential. Employers should also consider offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which provide confidential assessments, short-term counseling, and referrals for employees dealing with personal or work-related problems.
3. Create a supportive work environment. Creating a workplace culture that prioritizes work-life balance is fundamental, especially in industries where long hours and high stress are common. Offering flexible work schedules, hybrid work options, and reasonable workloads helps reduce burnout. In Genesee County, where many employees are also balancing care for children or for elderly or chronically ill relatives, especially post-pandemic, flexibility can significantly alleviate stress. Employers should also encourage employees to use their vacation time or paid time off.
4. Make sure supervisors have mental health awareness. Supervisors are often the first to notice if employees have changes in their demeanor or could be going through mental health challenges. Ensuring supervisors have training on how to recognize signs like behavioral changes, increased absences, or decreased productivity and the best ways to handle those issues with sensitivity is vital.
5. Encourage wellness activities. The Flint area is fortunate to have several organizations that offer free or low-cost fitness and wellness programs. The Crim Fitness Foundation’s mindfulness initiatives and the Greater Flint Health Coalition’s Commit to Fit program are just two of many locally that employers can look to for ideas.
Mental health in the workplace is as important as physical health for companies that want to retain talented employees and help them do their best work. Learning how to best support the mental health needs of our local workforce will have a lasting, positive impact on the local economy and our community as a whole.