Employee Well-Being: How Mental Health Support in the Workplace Attracts Gen Z

As job market trends evolve, employers face a barrage of new challenges they have to meet head-on if they want to continue to be seen as attractive for top talent. As more Gen Z employees enter the workforce, companies need to become conscious of what matters to younger people. Attracting Gen Z with mental health support is one avenue that’s worth exploring, which is what we’ll discuss today.

Employee Well-Being and Gen Z – What’s the Connection?

As with many modern workplace expectations of Gen Z, underinformed employers are often quick to judge and dismiss these wants as signs of entitlement and a lack of work ethic. However, once you take a more analytical approach and really try to understand what makes the next generation tick, crucial puzzle pieces start falling into place, including why attracting Gen Z with mental health support makes so much sense.

So why do Gen Z’s values and attitudes differ so much? Take a look at the many factors:

• Mental Health Awareness & Reduced Stigma: Gen Z grew up in a time when being open about mental health issues became normal and accepted.
• Impact of Social Media: Unfettered access to a constant stream of high-profile individuals flaunting their wealth leads to needless comparisons, fanning the flames of anxiety and excessive stress.
• Economic Uncertainty: In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid pandemic, Gen Z has been constantly exposed to economic doom and gloom, becoming acutely aware of the system’s instability. It’s no wonder they choose to focus on personal well-being as a source of internal strength and security.
• Cultural Shifts: While past generations were more willing to keep their heads down and focus on work exclusively, Gen Z expects their jobs to align with their values and priorities, often experiencing what a disharmonious work-life balance did to their parents.

With these socio-economic factors in mind, it becomes much clearer why Gen Z would value mental health support in the workplace. So how can you provide it to them, then? We discuss this in the next section.

Ways to Promote Mental Health Support in the Workplace

To attract and retain Gen Z employees, companies need to integrate at least some mental health perks and benefits. Here are a few ideas to make Gen Z workers feel that much more listened to:

Offering Mental Health Benefits

Providing access to a mental health helpline or therapy sessions can work be that much needed nod toward employee well-being that Gen Z needs. Flexible benefits packages that include these resources are held in high regard, especially given the otherwise limited affordability of counseling and therapy.

Promoting Openness

Create a stigma-free environment to let everyone feel comfortable talking about their mental health challenges. This should include sensitivity training and educating company leaders on empathy and active listening.

Maintaining Flexibility

Gen Z employees value work-life balance as a fundamental aspect of their well-being—and they expect their workplace to do the same. A flexible work schedule with the possibility of working from home should address this need.

Leveraging Technology

Given the generation’s aptitude toward digital tools, employers should consider providing access to virtual wellness programs that boost mental health. One such idea could be to use VR technology, like the Mazer Trainer, which can easily transport users into a serene meditation chamber to relax and de-stress when needed.

The Takeaway

For Gen Z employees, mental health support in the workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the difference maker. For a cutting-edge VR approach to this issue, contact us at Mazer and see how our revolutionary platform can boost mental health among your ranks.

You may also read: Workplace Training for Gen Z: The Importance of Digital and VR Training Solutions