Employee Well-being Is Not Just About Material Needs, but Also the Mind
The increasing pressure at work, the rising demands to meet targets, and the growing complexity of responsibilities often put employees in situations that can negatively affect their mental health. This is why mental health in the workplace has become a more serious concern worldwide, including in Indonesia.
Mental Health Awareness
Awareness of the importance of mental health in the workplace is a crucial first step. In Indonesia, attention to this issue is growing, though many companies have yet to fully grasp the impact of mental health on employee productivity and well-being. According to a 2023 survey by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, nearly 40% of workers in Indonesia experience mental health issues, such as stress and anxiety, due to work pressures. Raising awareness about the significance of mental health can help reduce the stigma that often prevents individuals from seeking help. To address this, MUC is making efforts to promote comprehensive mental health awareness. Discussions on related issues, awareness campaigns, and training sessions have been initiated by engaging both top-level management and all of the employees.
Psychological First Aid
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an effective method to support individuals suffering from emotional stress or psychological crisis in the workplace. PFA aims to provide swift and practical assistance to those in need, helping them cope with stress or trauma while preventing long-term negative effects. In Indonesia, the implementation of PFA in the workplace is still in the introductory phase. However, with the increasing training programs, companies can equip managers and colleagues with basic skills to offer the initial support needed. Through Coaching, Counselling, and Mentoring (CCM), via the Mental Health Service Unit (UPKM) program, MUC trains employees to deliver mental health first aid in the workplace. Slowly but surely, this program fosters positive habits in interpersonal interactions among employees, promoting assertive and appreciative communication.
Supporting Community
Creating a supportive community in the workplace plays a crucial role in maintaining employees' mental health. A study by the Applied Psychology Institute of Universitas Indonesia in 2022 found that employees who feel supported by their colleagues are at a lower risk of experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, supervisors to directors in each department in MUC are expected to recognize the personalities of their team members to foster healthy interactions, coordination, and feedback. This support is again part of MUC's efforts to create a more positive environment, where employees feel safe to share their concerns without the fear of judgment. Besides the UPKM program, the efforts to build a mentally healthy community are also bolstered by various activities outside of work, such as CineMUC movie screenings, the English Club, the Book Club, and other recreational activities. These events not only strengthen interpersonal relationships among employees but also help create both a supportive and fun community.
Management Support in Creating a Mentally Healthy Environment
The management’s active support for mental health programs not only enhances employees’ well-being but also positively impacts the overall productivity of the company. As a strategic step following the Covid -19 pandemic, MUC has adopted policies that promote mental health, such as providing flexible working hours and access to counseling services with psychologists for its employees.
Every employee can access these facilities after registering for a coaching session as a follow-up to any personal issues or challenges they may face. This policy reflects the management’s awareness of the generational diversity within the workplace, particularly Gen Z, which tends to have greater awareness of mental health issues. The dynamics of future generations will continue to be a consideration for MUC management when creating targeted policies.
The Impact of a Mentally Healthy Work Environment
A work environment that supports mental health has a wide range of positive impacts, both for individuals and for the company. Employees in a workplace that prioritizes mental health tend to be more productive and more creative and show higher levels of loyalty to the company. In a mentally healthy work environment, challenges and conflicts faced by employees are resolved more quickly, accompanied by preventive measures that minimize mistakes. Employee well-being is also fulfilled, not only materially (through wages) but also mentally and emotionally.
Creating a physically and mentally healthy work environment is a long journey that MUC continues to pursue to this day. The various human challenges and dynamics that lie ahead are a key focus for the company to build excellent and prosperous human capital.
