Supporting your staff: 7 mental health apps to introduce in the workplace

Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing and can greatly impact an individual’s performance at work. As an employer, it is important to recognize the importance of supporting your staff’s mental health. One effective way to do so is by introducing mental health apps in the workplace. These apps provide employees with various resources to improve their mental well-being, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase productivity. In this article, we will explore 7 highly recommended mental health apps for employees and discuss how employers can integrate these apps into the workplace effectively.

Understanding mental health in the workplace

What is mental health?

Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and behave, and it influences how we handle stress, make choices, and interact with others.

The impact of mental health on the workplace

Mental health issues can significantly impact an employee’s productivity, absenteeism, and job satisfaction, leading to increased staff turnover and reduced morale. It can also affect the workplace environment, including colleagues’ relationships and overall team dynamics.

The importance of addressing mental health in the workplace

Addressing mental health in the workplace promotes a supportive and inclusive environment that values the wellbeing of employees. It creates an open dialogue, reduces stigma, and encourages early intervention, leading to better outcomes for employees and employers alike.

Benefits of introducing mental health apps in the workplace

• Improved access to mental health resources
  Mental health apps offer accessible resources that employees can access at any time, providing self-help tools and strategies for coping with stress and anxiety.
• Reduced stigma around mental health concerns
  Introducing these apps in the workplace signals that mental health is a priority, reducing stigma and promoting a workplace culture that values employee wellbeing.
• Increased employee engagement and productivity
  Mental health apps can help employees manage stress and improve their overall wellbeing, leading to increased productivity, higher engagement, and staff retention.

7 highly recommended mental health apps for employees

1. Sanvello: A comprehensive app that guides users through relaxation exercises, mindfulness meditation, and cognitive behavioural therapy techniques.
2. Headspace: A meditation app that offers guided meditation sessions and tools for managing stress and anxiety.
3. Happify: A science-based app that uses activities and games to alleviate stress and promote positive thinking.
4. BetterHelp: An app that offers online counselling sessions with certified therapists for those seeking professional support.
5. Moodfit: An app that tracks mood patterns, provides personalised insights, and offers exercises to improve emotional wellbeing.
6. ShinyMind: Co-created with the NHS, the ShinyMind app provides users with wellbeing and resilience resources in a community based support service within the organisation.
7. Woebot: A chatbot app that uses cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and artificial intelligence to help users manage stress and anxiety.

Employers’ role in promoting mental wellness

Creating a culture of open communication

Employers can foster a culture of open communication that encourages employees to speak up about mental health concerns without fear of retribution or discrimination.

Providing mental health resources

Employers can provide access to mental health resources, such as employee assistance programs, counselling, and MH apps, to support employees’ mental health needs.

Offering employee support programs

Employers can offer employee support programs, such as mindfulness training, stress management workshops, and mental health first aid training, to promote a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. Effective strategies for integrating MH apps into the workplace

Introducing MH apps in the workplace can be a game-changer for employees in dealing with stress and anxiety. However, it is essential to ensure that these apps are seamlessly integrated into the workplace culture. Here are three effective strategies to make that happen:

1. Communicating the benefits of mental health apps to employees
   The first step towards integrating mental health apps is to create awareness of its benefits. Communicate with your staff about the benefits of these apps, such as reduced stress, improved mental health, and better productivity.
2. Providing training on how to use the apps
   It is essential to provide training to your staff on how to use these apps. Hosting regular training sessions or workshops can help employees understand how these apps work and how they can benefit from them.
3. Encouraging regular use of the apps
   Encourage your employees to incorporate the use of mental health apps into their daily routine. This can be done by setting goals and tracking progress over time, leading to better results.

How mental health apps can improve employee engagement and productivity

Mental health apps can be a powerful tool in improving employee engagement and productivity. Here are three ways in which they can help:

1. Reducing absenteeism due to mental health concerns
   Mental health issues are one of the leading causes of employee absenteeism. However, MH apps can help employees detect and manage these issues early on, thus reducing absenteeism.
2. Improving overall mental well-being
   Offering mental health apps to employees can improve their overall mental well-being. This can lead to increased engagement, better decision-making, and improved overall job performance.
3. Increasing employee satisfaction and loyalty
   Providing resources to support employee mental health can lead to increased employee satisfaction and loyalty. This can help in retaining your talented employees and building a positive workplace culture.

Ensuring privacy and security when using mental health apps in the workplace

While mental health apps can be beneficial, it is crucial to ensure that employee privacy and data security are not compromised.

Protecting employee confidentiality

It is necessary to have policies in place that protect employees’ confidentiality. This includes ensuring that outside parties cannot access employees’ mental health records or data.

Using secure mental health apps

Invest in MH apps that guarantee the highest level of data security. It is crucial to review the app’s security measures, such as encryption, before introducing them to your workplace.

Complying with data protection regulations

Ensure that you are complying with data protection regulations when introducing MH apps in your workplace. This includes complying with data protection laws when collecting, accessing, and storing data. Introducing MH apps in the workplace can have a significant positive impact on employees’ mental health and well-being, ultimately leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. As employers, it is crucial to create a supportive culture that encourages open communication and provides resources for mental wellness. By implementing these recommended mental health apps and strategies for integration, companies can effectively support their staff’s mental health and well-being, and ultimately, foster a happier, healthier, and more productive workplace.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an app for your company’s corporate wellness program can be overwhelming. There are apps to help with stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, addiction, mood, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the list goes on. With so many self-care apps on the market, how do you know which one is safe, effective, and worth the investment?

The answer isn’t in the apps marketing techniques and popularity / download stats, but the raw data and evidence provided. Have other organisations seen a reduction in workforce illness and personal days? are staff more productive and happier in the workplace? These are the answers you need to know.

It’s best to go with an app that’s evidence-based and tested in the marketplace, transparent about privacy, easy to use, and in alignment with your workforce wellness initiatives. And while these apps aren’t a total replacement for in-person therapy, they’re a way to expand access and help your employees achieve their short and long-term mental health and wellness goals.