How HR leaders can drive mental wellness in the workplace

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Flexibility, employee benefits and a workplace culture that prioritises mental health have become critical in attracting and retaining talent, writes Kirsty Phaal, senior vice president of HR at NTT DATA: Middle East and East Africa.

As we celebrate Mental Awareness Month this October, it’s time to acknowledge a reality that’s reshaping workplaces across the globe: mental wellness is no longer a secondary consideration. Employees today are more aware of mental health issues and expect their organisations to provide support. We must recognise that mental wellbeing is often top of mind for new talent, even exceeding traditional motivations like compensation.

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted mental health worldwide, underscoring the need for robust mental wellbeing programmes. As the world adjusted to the changes brought by the pandemic, employees faced new stressors – whether working remotely or navigating uncertain futures. At NTT DATA, we responded by introducing wellness initiatives like Wellness Wednesdays, where employees could connect, engage in physical activities and learn to manage their mental health.

Our hybrid working model has also been instrumental in supporting our employees. It offers flexibility with remote work options and adaptable working hours, empowering employees to balance their personal and professional lives. We understand that managing stress in this new reality demands a holistic approach that acknowledges individual needs.

But fostering mental wellness goes beyond programmes and policies – it requires a cultural shift, starting with leadership. This is where HR must step up to the plate. One of the key responsibilities of our profession is to build leadership capabilities that promote empathy, openness and vulnerability.

This means that mental wellness must be seamlessly woven into the fabric of the workplace, where leaders model the behaviours they wish to see in their teams. This isn't always natural, but it is crucial. It’s the role of HR to encourage leadership to recognise these mental health cues, promote open dialogue, and address wellbeing proactively.

For HR leaders, the role in breaking down the stigma around mental health cannot be overstated. HR must create a safe space for conversations about mental wellness and offer tangible solutions. This includes leading with empathy and prioritising human-centric approaches over purely performance-driven metrics. It’s essential to cultivate a balance where people feel valued as individuals, not just as employees.

Looking ahead, the role of HR in mental wellness will continue to evolve, particularly as hybrid working models remain prevalent. With technology advancing rapidly, and concerns about job security rising, we must equip ourselves with the tools to respond. NTT Data, for instance, is exploring how technologies like Gen AI and machine learning can identify mental health “hotspots” within teams, allowing HR to intervene early with appropriate support.

Ultimately, the future of HR will be defined by its ability to integrate mental wellness into business strategy, using data-driven insights and human empathy to support a workforce navigating an ever-changing world. Prioritising mental wellness is not only the right thing to do – it’s essential for creating a thriving, engaged and productive workplace.

Making mental health a priority in our workplaces is not just something we should reserve for October. Let’s instead support, engage, and create spaces where people feel valued and empowered to bring their best selves to work every day.

 

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