{"id":1738,"date":"2018-08-21T17:16:50","date_gmt":"2018-08-21T09:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/?p=1738"},"modified":"2019-05-29T11:19:48","modified_gmt":"2019-05-29T03:19:48","slug":"what-should-employers-do-to-tackle-employee-mental-health-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/what-should-employers-do-to-tackle-employee-mental-health-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"What should employers do to tackle employee mental health issues?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every time we talk about employee benefits, the first few things that spring right into our heads might probably be paid leaves, medical insurance, or flexible working hours. Mental health support just seems to be the least of our concern. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, mental wellness issues are getting more prevalent nowadays, from the most common depression, alcohol addiction, to anxiety disorders and sleep deprivation. In fact, they have become so pervasive that the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/depression\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Health Organization<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> estimates that the world will lose as many as 12 billion workdays to depression and anxiety disorders alone by 2030. It\u2019s not only hurting individuals or businesses but our society on the whole.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this feature by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pacificprime.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pacific Prime<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we are going to take a closer look at the employee&#8217;s\u2019 mental health issues and provide answers to some commonly asked questions such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why should employers help improve employee mental health?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are expats more prone to mental illnesses?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the reasons that employees shy away from treatment?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can employers do to address employee mental health?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class='code-block code-block-6' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/compare-quotes\/step-one\/?campSource=PPHK-Blog&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=cta_banner&utm_campaign=Blog_Banner&utm_content=quote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1279\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HK-BANNER-Couple.jpg?resize=700%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Get a quote banner\" width=\"700\" height=\"303\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why should employers help improve employee mental health?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While mental health is as important as their physical counterpart, it seems that we aren\u2019t putting sufficient emphasis on it. Many HRs still think that it is unnecessary to intervene with the mental states of the employees since it is a part of their private life. Yet, there are actually a plethora of benefits improving employee mental health can bring along to companies.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased productivity<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees will be less likely to get distracted by their emotions and will become more focused on work. If the employees get adequate emotional support, they will become more engaged and loyal, and contribute more to the company.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced medical costs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mentally healthy employees will take fewer sick leaves and make fewer visits to doctors or psychiatrists. Encouraging employees to be mentally healthy can cut the medical costs of the company and help the daily operation smoother.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced turnover rates<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It takes a great deal of time and efforts for the company to recruit and train a new employee. Boosting employees\u2019 mental health means that they are less likely to quit the job. The company can even use their mental health benefits as a unique selling point to attract more talents.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are expats more prone to mental illnesses?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone who has worked overseas may have experienced the loneliness and homesickness in a foreign country. You are all on your own, cut off from your friends and family. The lack of social and family support makes expat employees particularly susceptible to mental health conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides, living and working in an entirely alien place is an extremely stressful event. You might find it hard to assimilate into a new culture and working environment within a short time. This sense of frustration can add fuel to the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last but not least, the international assignees may fear being stigmatized for their illnesses and thus choose to ignore symptoms when they start to show. Without appropriate supports, their mental conditions can escalate even faster.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do employees shy away from treatment?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health issue was not a public concern at all until recent decades. Therefore, many people still believe that patients suffering from mental illnesses are dangerous and harmful. Consequently, it takes a lot of courage for employees to face their conditions and seek assistance since they have to face the stigmas and stereotypes that it may bring along.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can employers do to address employee mental health?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a host of solutions that employers can apply to help employees in need of mental health assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employee Assistance Program<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EAP connects employees with professional support services for personal, family and work issues. This program provides a vast array of benefits, from help finding childcare to legal assistance and negotiating medical bills. Some benefits are useful in addressing mental ailments, including professional over-the-phone or in-person counseling services. For foreign places with limited access to mental healthcare services, employers should provide online therapy sessions instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create awareness<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is crucial to educate other employees and destigmatize the unrealistic impressions associated with mental illness patients. The employers should also build awareness among the employees so that they understand the symptoms better, and can seek medical assistance promptly in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve working conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers should strive to maintain a positive working environment and atmosphere in the workplace. Moreover, they should promote work-life balance so that the workloads and stress levels of the employees are kept contained. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better orientation for foreign employees<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers can provide better cultural and language training sessions before the employees relocate abroad for better assimilation. After they arrive, the employers can organize orientation programs so that they can fit in and mingle with other colleagues faster. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partner with an employee benefits and wellness specialist<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given the wide range of mental conditions, company situations, and possible solutions, there is no one-size-fits-all mental wellness benefits approach. As such, it is crucial that you seek professional assistance from an established insurance broker like <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pacific Prime<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to identify, devise, implement, and manage your company\u2019s benefits and mental wellness solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We hope the above information can serve as a basic guide to mental health wellness benefits. If you have any questions related to the subject, you can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today! Our team of experts will even offer you a free quotation and plan comparison!<\/span><\/p>\n<div class='code-block code-block-8' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.com\/cost-of-health-insurance-2023\/?campSource=PPHK-Blog&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=Blog_Banner&utm_content=COHI2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1278\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/COHI-2023-WP-banners-Version-03.jpg?resize=700%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cost of health insurance 2023 banner\" width=\"700\" height=\"303\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every time we talk about employee benefits, the first few things that spring right into our heads might probably be paid leaves, medical insurance, or flexible working hours. Mental health support just seems to be the least of our concern. However, mental wellness issues are getting more prevalent nowadays, from the most common depression, alcohol &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":1739,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2},"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[748],"tags":[1017,788,1015,887,396,360,797,700,302,892,1012,1016,893,36,1014,1013],"class_list":["post-1738","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employee-benefits","tag-ban_eb","tag-cta_cor","tag-eap","tag-employee-assistance-program","tag-employee-benefits","tag-healthcare","tag-insurance","tag-insurance-hong-kong","tag-mental-health","tag-mental-illness","tag-mental-sickness","tag-mental-well-being","tag-mental-wellness","tag-pacific-prime","tag-psychiatrist","tag-psychology"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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