Developing a corporate culture that cares for psychological wellbeing

Organisations have a duty to provide a safe and supportive psychosocial environment for their employees, addressing issues such as depression, burnout and anxiety. Corporate leadership is crucial to ensure the mental health of teams; strategies such as mentoring, coaching, and workshops can strengthen a caring corporate culture.

Mental health, especially in workplace settings, has long been regarded as secondary to physical health. However, in the modern age, we have come to understand just how important our mental well-being is – and how much it is influenced by our careers and working conditions. Long working hours, constant stress, and pressure to meet targets can contribute to conditions like anxiety and depression. Recognising and addressing these challenges is key to creating healthy and productive workplaces.

In many places, the conversation around mental health at work has begun to gain traction, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Caring for our people not only enhances their work experience, but also strengthens the connection to communities, aligning with a commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments.

Implementing policies that promote a good work-life balance, provide resources for psychological support, and training leaders to recognise and manage signs of stress and discomfort are crucial steps to improving mental wellbeing at work.

Clear strategies to foster psychological well-being in the corporate culture

"Working with the freedom to express oneself can have a significant impact on the professional routine. Psychological safety allows employees to be creative, authentic, and themselves. Having an engaging corporate culture is essential for employees to feel safe, communicate well, and stay motivated," says Elizangela Bonomi, Chief Human Resources Officer at RSM Brazil. RSM Brazil implements a number of tools in this regard, some of which include:

Mentoring plans: Mentoring is an initiative that seeks to develop employees in a more direct and effective way. It is designed by a mentor with the employee's direct leader. "It has become a very important tool that allows us to better understand any behavioural and developmental issues that employees may have. Because of this, we can develop a deeper understanding of people’s problems and help in the day-to-day life of each person," emphasises Bonomi.
 
Semi-annual evaluation: While it is very important that a manager and employee stay aligned and provide feedback, an opportunity to provide formal feedback is given every six months. An employee’s mentor is also involved in the process to ensure everything is transparent and guidance is clear.

Coffee with HR: Whenever an employee or team has an unpleasant or uncomfortable experience that has affected their emotional health, it is good practice for the HR team to meet with the affected individual or group for a conversation so that any potential problems can be discussed and a solution can be provided.

Organisations can also implement coaching programmes to improve an employee’s experience at work. According to Joscelyn Calderón, Business Development Manager at RSM Costa Rica, "2023 was a year in which we were certified as coaches by N.E.W.S, a renowned global coaching firm, which has a methodology that we have found incredibly helpful to apply not only within the firm, but also with clients". 

Carmen Martínez, Managing Director of RSM US-El Salvador, stresses the importance of companies creating a space that encourages and promotes mental health. "We promote activities that allow our people to connect with the present moment, such as walks, eco-initiatives, meditation, and sports. We complement these with digital tools such as the RSM Wellbeing Hub, a holistic app that motivates people to take care of their personal well-being and offers tangible incentives”.

“We offer talks with professionals on physical and mental health and we have private medical insurance that includes support for mental health. We encourage our team to follow their passions, aligning with our motto, "The Power of Being You". We also promote programmes, such as "Pursue your Passion", that support employees in pursuing their personal dreams," adds Martínez.

These type of strategies, as well as having a multidisciplinary HR committee, allows an organisation to better take care of its teams whilst motivating them and reducing turnover. Stronger, more motivated teams means more stability for any given organisation and its people have a better experience with less stress and burnout.

The importance of removing the stigma attached to mental health

Many people are afraid to talk about their problems because of the fear of being judged or having their abilities questioned. To address this, it is essential to create a culture in which mental health is treated as seriously as physical health: "At RSM Brazil, we talk freely about important topics that are considered "taboo" in many companies: depression (how to identify it and how to help); burnout (how to recognise symptoms); anxiety (when it becomes pathological), and other topics that help employees identify early symptoms or even how to help if they have a case in their family or among friends," says Bonomi.

She continues, "In addition, our employees have a group of psychologists in our HR department. With all the confidentiality that the process requires, each employee can go to these professionals for support whenever they wish. This allows us to direct them towards specialised care, where needed, and makes it clear that we want to help however we can and in the best possible way."

Referring to the importance of opening up the conversation to important issues, Calderón adds, “Another aspect that has allowed us to work in a more inclusive way and generate greater diversity in our teams is implementing the UN’s Women's Empowerment Principles”.

"Psychological well-being can redirect people’s energy towards value creation, reducing anxiety levels and problems derived from exhaustion and frustration. This creates a healthier and more positive work environment, where each person feels able to contribute at their best”, reflects Martínez.
Companies that prioritise the mental health of their employees not only contribute to the overall wellbeing of their employees, but also reap tangible benefits. A healthy work environment can translate into higher productivity, lower staff turnover, and a better working environment. Every day, organisations have the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the well-being of their people and to take concrete steps to create an environment in which everyone can thrive.