What Is the Role of HR in Employee Mental Health?

Professionals in Human Resources often face challenges in their careers. As experts in the field, HR representatives guide organizations toward maintaining transparency, resiliency, and flexibility to help meet employee needs.

As they optimize workflow to promote employee performance, HR also focuses on how roles can affect behavioral health at all levels of a business. Recognizing that team members can struggle with mental health is a breakthrough realization that allows HR to implement proper strategies to support personnel during hardships.

But what is the role of HR in employee mental health, and how do representatives work together to eliminate the stigma? Continue reading to learn more.

Provide Resources

HR can provide appropriate resources to employees struggling with mental health. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) help educate leadership on best practices to follow when it becomes clear that an employee is displaying mental health concerns.

While HR representatives can also provide referrals and consultations, it’s worth noting that only medical experts can diagnose and treat disorders.

Increase Awareness

Having and raising awareness plays a significant role in normalizing the conversations surrounding mental health. The best form of support an HR representative can provide is to educate themselves and the workplace about how to avoid creating stigmas misrepresenting mental health.

Fear and judgment are two of the many reasons why many individuals don’t seek assistance. With one in five individuals experiencing mental health struggles at any point in life, dispelling myths, misunderstandings, and misinformation and creating a safe work environment is paramount.

Be Understanding and Empathetic

Many organizations do their best to normalize advocating for mental health; however, the topic continues to stir controversy.

Displaying empathy would be more challenging if an organization were to have an HR department operating without the appropriate knowledge and expertise to provide support during employee hardships.

Experiences can vary greatly between employees, and having someone to provide a listening ear and understand their position is beneficial.

Treating individuals who struggle with mental health with empathy and understanding also allows you to provide realistic solutions to help them more smoothly navigate work.

HR’s role in employee mental health is significant. The department strives to normalize genuine feelings and emotions while providing personnel with the assistance required to navigate life’s challenges.

To provide the best assistance possible, HR professionals should have adequate education on mental health. Ensure your department meets expectations by contacting The Christopher Group. We offer executive placement services that can assist you in your search for qualified individuals in upper management and Human Resources.