4 Benefits of Hiring Mental Health Speakers for Workplace

The need for companies to hire mental health speakers for workplace is greater today than it has ever been.

It’s true that employee wellness and mental wellbeing has been a thing for many companies for a while now. But if you’ve been paying notice, it’s hard to deny the fact that mental health issues seem to have burgeoned in the last few years.

Part of it is down to the manner in which mental health as a topic has been destigmatised in all areas of society, including schools, places of work, in our communities and even at a personal level with individuals close to us.

This has led to more open discussions around the subject.

A changing world

However, it’s also worth acknowledging that the world has changed, as trite as that may sounds. The 2020’s decade has ushered in significant shifts in work trends and societal outlooks that means things will never be the same.

This is perhaps not surprising considering it started with the entire world in lockdown, a defining juncture in human history which in itself witnessed a sharp rise in mental health cases, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). [1] AI has become the buzzword (taking over from social media) and Gen-Z has entered the workforce, replacing boomers.

And of course, wars and geo-political issues continue to dominate the daily headlines.

With mental health problems at the workplace becoming more prevalent, this is an issue that employers need to place more emphasis on. After all, the cost of not doing so is steeper (more on that shortly).

One of the measures businesses can take to address the problem is to bring in professional mental health speakers for workplace by organising workshops centred around the topic.

Damning stats on workplace mental health

• According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 14.7% of people in the UK experience mental health problems at work. [2]

• Almost one in every two employees (48%) says their mental wellbeing has become worse from a survey conducted in 2022. Almost one in three (28%) reports feeling miserable at work. [3]

• UK employers lose £56 billion annually to workplace mental health, a figure that has risen by 25% since 2019. [4]

• Poor employee mental health accounts for 28% of sick days in the UK. [5]

• Absenteeism stemming from anxiety, stress and depression is higher (18 days) compared to days employees miss work due to physical sickness (17 days) and musculoskeletal disorders (15 days). [5]

• 50% of respondents in a survey by Deloitte experienced at least one symptom of burnout which they ascribed to thin work-life balance, bigger job demands/expectations and lack of social life. Burnout symptoms include low energy levels, emotional exhaustion, reduced job satisfaction and frequent friction with co-workers, among others.

• The subsequent implications for employers were reduced employee engagement, poor work performance and higher staff turnover. [5]

There are many more statistics that illustrate the impact of poor mental health at the workplace. But the bottom line is that mental health issues not only negatively impact employees, but it’s a malady that can be costly for every business out there.

This is why organisations, large and small, cannot afford to sweep the matter under the rug. Not just because it has a negative effect on the bottom line, but also because it is only right to take care of your workforce.

Happy employees are highly productive, they do not miss work frequently and their performance will be laudable. They enjoy higher job satisfaction and companies do not have to worry about losing top talent.

The benefits of booking mental health speakers for workplace

As you evaluate ways to support your employee mental wellbeing, bringing in guest speakers for mental health to speak to your people can have far-reaching benefits on your organisation.

Some of the benefits you can expect by booking a mental health awareness speaker like Jill include:

1. Lower absenteeism

Anxiety and depression, two symptoms of poor mental health, are a big driver of workplace absence. The costs businesses incur through employee absenteeism as a result of calling in sick may not seem like much on the face of it, but they can add up.

Research shows that collectively, UK businesses can save £8 billion annually through workplace mental health education. Lower absenteeism reduces the cost of sick days that companies have to grapple with. [6]

Corporate mental health speakers can facilitate conversations around reducing workplace stress, both on the measures employers can take and the things individual employees can do on their part. They bring in ideas that provide insights into how to prevent employee burnout, which is one of the main causes of absenteeism.

2. Stave off employee turnover

Mental health speakers can also help businesses reduce staff turnover. Which is a big deal when you consider 75% of Gen-Z employees (and half of millennials) surveyed by the Harvard Business Review had left a role because of mental health issues. [7]

When staff feel cared for and the employer shows concern for staff wellbeing, employees will be more satisfied with their work. They exhibit a positive attitude at work and team dynamics will noticeably be healthy.

A mental health speaker is an experienced professional who can provide valuable guidance on how to overcome challenges, workplace-related or otherwise. They can teach employees how to cultivate a resilient mindset, manage their emotional wellbeing and create an effective work-life balance.

These are all things that help companies reduce employee turnover at the end of the day.

3. Improved performance

Mental health and productivity go hand in hand. Often rearing itself in the form of stress, anxiety, burnout or depression, poor mental health can significantly hamper employee productivity.

Workplace mental health problems dampen morale and severely reduce motivation. This hampers efficiency and performance, in the end hitting businesses where it hurts most: the bottom line.

Research has shown that programmes geared towards improving workplace mental health have potential returns of 800%. This is attributed to better employee performance, lower absenteeism and reduced staff turnover. [8]

This is why it’s not difficult for companies to justify the cost of hiring mental health speakers for workplace.

They can provide insights that help employees and leadership navigate workplace challenges better. Speakers can share nuggets on how to handle uncertainty and other job-related pressures. Employees can also learn how to maintain a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives to reduce work-related stress and anxiety.

Mental health motivational speakers can also share uplifting messages that provide encouragement to employees and serve as a spark to help individuals find purpose and meaning in their work.

When you have a happier workforce, the impact on business will – ultimately – be felt.

4. Boost your brand standing

We’ve reached a point where employee wellness initiatives are no longer considered a luxury. Companies are increasingly prioritising the wellbeing of their staff, cognisant of the fact that a less stressed workforce has superior output and finds it easier to meet team and organisational goals.

It’s also not lost on corporate leaders that a truly harmonious environment central to success is only achievable when employees feel cared for. That’s why companies that prioritise their staff welfare are a magnet for top talent and enjoy low turnover rates.

Among the many employee wellness programmes that businesses are putting together is organising mental health and wellbeing workshops where they invite speakers to come and tackle the subject.

This is a highly attractive selling point for prospective employees, and it boosts your brand’s reputation in the eyes of the world.

Conclusion

Mental health speakers for workplace offer more to businesses than simply destigmatising the topic.

Opening and normalising the conversation on workplace mental health is, of course, a big step in itself. But as the stats demonstrate, companies stand to gain plenty by investing in mental wellness initiatives, and more so now with the entry of a new generation into the workforce.

However, it is worth highlighting that one keynote speech on mental health cannot bring the desired effect. And understandably so.

Embracing mental health care as part of your employee wellness programme and inviting speakers on the regular can ensure sustained success in the long run. This can be through organised mental health workshops or inviting the occasional speaker for a keynote speech.

Over time, the return on investment will be clear to see.

To book a mental health speaker for your business or corporate event, simply 

get in touch with Jillian today. She has the secret formula to help you transform your workplace into a positive, sustainable and lucrative environment!