Wellness Programs – Stress Management and Mental Health

Stress Management

A lot of simple wellness activities and practices can help workers understand the role stress plays in effecting health, safety, and productivity. It is necessary to help workers understand simple stress management strategies for reducing stress levels.

• Stress kit check out. Have stress management tools available for staff member use during a scheduled break time. Consider providing relaxation music or programs including player and headphones; mat or blanket to lie on; neck pillow; eye mask; and stress massage rollers.

• Offer a stress management brown bag event at which employees can attempt different types stress management tools.

• Be sure to encourage staff members to take 10-minute relaxation/exercise breaks. Post reminders.

• Give a comfortable staff member break area.

• Designate a “quiet room” for meditation and relaxation, if possible.

• Be certain to work with Management to keep supervisors informed about the effects of stress in the workplace. Supervisors are often the first step in assisting employees find different ways of managing work related stressors.

• Contact the Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) for a selection of stress management information and self-assessments.

• Offer stress management self-assessments to interested staff members. Follow these up with a stress management videotape, a brown bag presentation, or a community guest speaker.

Mental Wellness

Emotions and mental health greatly affect overall health and wellness. Every wellness program should incorporate some services, programs, resources or activities to address mental health issues.

Mental health topics may be sensitive areas for workers. Therefore, it’s important to provide information in a selection of ways, worksite presentations being just one possibility.

For example, put domestic violence resource cards in the restrooms to provide useful information in a private establishing that does not embarrass whoever. Other considerations include –

• When planning to offer an oratory event or presentation a neutral class title will ensure potential participants won’t be put off by the name.

For example, “Parenting in 2004″, “Positive Parenting”, or “Parent University” is much more appealing than “Stress and Parenting”.

• Make sure to allot enough time when hosting EAP/mental health workshops for a question and answer session so participants may ask specific questions.

Always remind participants that individual help is available through the employee assistance program (EAP) and through their health benefits. Give written contact information for your EAP, but do so discretely.

• the Worker Assistance Program (EAP) is an excellent partner and resource for wellness programming in these areas. the employee assistance program (EAP) can help find ways to address mental health, stress, coping, and other related issues.