Younger Workers Place Emphasis on Mental Health in the Workplace

BY LAURA ZERA

Employers that want to attract young professionals – which should be all of them, given the Boomer generation’s retirement rate – will boost their odds if mental health care is part of the package. “We often hear from young adults that they are seeking workplaces that value mental wellness and a balanced, respectful work environment,” said Becky Fein, Director of Training and Engagement at Active Minds, a U.S. non-profit organization that supports mental health awareness and education for young adults.

The events of the past year have undoubtedly highlighted that need. Project Healthy Minds recently surveyed more than 1,000 18 to 34-year-olds, and 96% of respondents reported experiencing some level of anxiety, ranging from occasionally to all the time. Thankfully, employers are starting to take to heart one of the survey’s key findings: companies that fail to prioritize mental health will face hiring challenges. “My sense is that more and more companies are becoming open to discussing mental health, both because they want to create a workplace that is supportive of their employees’ mental health, and because they are understanding how important mental health is to the incoming workforce,” Fein said.

Another positive sign can be found in the way that employers are engaging with groups like The Stability Network and Active Minds to bring speakers, panel discussions and presentations to their organizations. The fact that they are seeking out these conversations for their leadership and teams is an important trend, according to Fein. And the changes that come out of it all, whether big or small, are also important. She noted an emphasis on employee benefits related to mental wellbeing, such as reframing “sick time” as “personal health time” to be more inclusive of mental health regeneration.

When an employer commits to supporting mental health, it’s crucial they walk the talk, otherwise Millennial and Gen Z hires are less likely to stay. It’s costly to hire and train employees, whereas available cost-benefit research on strategies to address mental health points towards net benefits. To help build the workplace toolkit, Active Minds created a practical 14-page guidebook for day-to-day practice at an operational level. Though geared to the hospitality industry, it’s an approach that can be used anywhere.

As young professionals shine a light on the conversation and culture around mental health in the workplace, employers should know that it isn’t hard to meet them where they’re at. “Making changes that positively impact the way employees experience mental health in their workplace isn’t necessarily expensive or difficult,” said Fein. “It starts with listening to employees about what they need and thinking creatively to find solutions that fit within the capacity of your unique workplace.”

Laura Zera is a writer, IT consultant and mental health advocate. She is committed to sharing stories and information about Complex PTSD so it becomes more widely understood in every arena. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, DAME Magazine, Catapult, the Seattle Times and other places, and she is working on two books. After 17 years in Seattle, Laura recently moved home to British Columbia. Connect with her at laurazera.com or on Twitter and Instagram @laurazera.