Since the start of the pandemic, symptoms of burnout have hit employees and business owners at an alarming rate. Partly because mental health is still a stigmatized topic, but the promotion of hustle culture is taking a toll too – the pressure to be constantly productive demands people to overlook their mental health for the sake of progress. Ironically though, neglecting our mental well-being will only drive productivity to the ground with us.
It’s vital that we start treating mental health with the same level of care as physical health, but prioritizing the former is difficult. People may not want to admit that they need support, so as a business owner or leader, demonstrating that it is not only ok, but essential to reach out for help is a must. Providing resources for your employees is the best way to show that.
Fortunately, the rise of digital devices in recent years has made support more accessible than ever. There are thousands of mental health apps available, each with a targeted focus – whether it be for sleep, mindfulness, stress relief or motivation. The familiarity of using a personal mobile phone can also push people towards help when they find traditional methods such as in-person therapy overwhelming. These apps can be introduced to your employees as preventative measures, giving them a space away from work to focus purely on themselves. Timer apps and smartwatches can also notify people when they have been working for an exhaustive period of time, and gently remind them to take a break and recharge in order to prevent burnout.
Video and animation play a vital role in these services, providing instantaneous help to employees when traditional forms of support are barred by long waiting lists and unaffordable prices. These animations may take the form of looped timers to aid people in deep breathing, or scenic gifs to help people wind down. Videos for guided mediations, motivational speeches and workout routines are offered plentifully too. Mental health is not often something that can be captured physically, so by visualizing sleep schedules and mood trackers into animations and colorful charts, employees can actualize their mental health into something tangible, making well-being easier to achieve.
But for digital technology to be truly genuine and worthwhile, support must go beyond just that. If your employees cannot open up about their concerns, or if your work environment still stigmatizes mental health, then wellness apps will only be a bandage. Through speaking openly about mental health as a leader, genuine change occurs supplementing a positive and healthy work environment without stigma.
If you would like to learn more about digital solutions for mental health, feel free to contact us at hello@shootyou.co.uk
