The pandemic had a significant effect on the physical and mental health of people across the country. This situation was particularly true among frontline healthcare workers who had to provide care to patients who caught the virus.
While the situation also affected the mental health of other workers, some experienced behavioral health issues that existed even before the pandemic happened. The health crisis only aggravated their condition, which can lead to reduced productivity. Therefore, companies need to help workers with behavioral health problems before it worsens.
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health describes the connection between the behavior of a person and his health and well-being. It focuses on how a person’s behavior can affect the physical and mental health of the person.
It studies a person’s emotions, his behavior associated with mental health, the concept of self, and his ability to function properly. People struggling with behavioral health have to deal with many psychological concerns, including anxiety, stress, addiction, mood disorders, and depression.
To manage these health issues, their employer can hire a company offering behavioral health integrated services to help them. These companies normally have a team of life coaches, therapists, counselors, and psychologists to provide treatments to help manage their concerns. Their treatments range from counseling to therapy and medication.
Difference Between Behavioral Health and Mental Health
Many people may interchange behavioral health and mental health. While people experiencing behavioral health issues also experience mental health issues, the latter focuses mainly on the biological aspect. On the other hand, behavioral health also involves how habits and substances can affect a person’s overall mental and physical health.
When it comes to disorders, some mental health disorders have no direct connection with behavior, including schizophrenia, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. In contrast, disorders associated with behavioral health that arise from maladaptive behaviors can affect a person’s mental and physical condition. These disorders include gambling, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
Taking Care of the Behavioral Health of Employees
Employers need to work on the behavioral health of their workers to ensure they remain productive, especially with the current situation that is affecting the mental health of everyone. Employers should also create a work environment that promotes the well-being of their employees. Here are the benefits of prioritizing the mental health of the employees.
Lesser Cases of Absenteeism
When an employer deals with the behavioral health issues of an employee, cases of absenteeism will go down. They will have no reason to call in sick when they feel depressed. A supportive working environment will encourage employees to report for work instead of staying home.
Better Relationship Between the Employer and Employee
The relationship between the employer and employee will also improve if the workplace is friendly and is not toxic. This happens when the employer expresses concern about the well-being of the employees. In this situation, the employees will reciprocate the empathy shown by the employee, which further enhances the work environment.
Improved Productivity
A good work environment can motivate employees to work. Employees who have behavioral issues but can see the support of their employer will find a way to become productive and improve the quality of their work. When employers prioritize the well-being of their employees, work output will improve.
Improving the Workplace
Employers can hire professionals to help employees with behavioral issues. But they can also create a healthy work environment for their employees. This is important to avoid causing unintentional damage to the health of the employees.
Employers can promote equality among employees. This means the employer should provide an equal workload for everyone and avoid putting too many responsibilities on some employees. The employer should also avoid asking the employees to go on overtime all the time. This is particularly true among employees who are dealing with behavioral and mental health issues.
Recognizing the importance of mental and behavioral health is also advisable. And the employer should have a designated therapist or counselor who can work with the employees if they need help. Allowing the employees to go on sick leave due to these issues is also a good move on the part of the employer.
The remuneration should also be fair for the employees. The employer can even follow the move of some companies that raised the minimum wages of their employees. Being kind and encouraging to the employees can also do wonders for their morale and mental health. Additionally, the employer can also organize bonding activities to promote teamwork and develop confidence among the employees.
The health crisis had a huge impact on the physical and mental health of employees around the country. Employers can look after the well-being of their employees to alleviate their concerns about the situation.