Online mental health platforms for employees have recently grown immensely popular as an alternative to traditional face-to-face therapy appointments. Due to high demand and an increasing number of specialisations within mental health, platforms now often focus on specific mental health difficulties.

This article delves further into online mental health platforms for employees, their benefits, and pros and cons to help you navigate the many options in the market. Here are our top eight:

Before we see each of them, we’ll compare those platforms to traditional therapy and employee assistance programmes so that you can make informed choices about your and your employees’ mental health. 

The significance of mental health in the workplace

Mental health in the workplace is a hot topic among employers and employees, especially since COVID-19. As we typically spend the majority of our lives at work, the workplace is one of the most significant influences on our mental health. This has driven many studies investigating how work conditions can impact productivity and job satisfaction, and many organisations plan on investing in workplace mental health in the upcoming years.

For the employer, managing mental health in the workplace is vital to maintaining a happy, organised, and productive workforce. Much health research shows that unmitigated chronic job stressors often lead to employee burnout – characterised as intense exhaustion, cynicism, or indifference towards the workplace, and significantly lower job performance. In other words, minimising or dismissing the mental health of your employees is a recipe for high turnover, lower engagement, and, ultimately, reduced profitability.

Conversely, research shows that taking steps to nurture your employees’ mental health galvanises employee loyalty, and leads to higher job performance and that taking steps to encourage your employees’ mental health galvanises employee engagement and leads to higher job performance and a considerable return on the investment. 

> You may be interested in our article: “How does mental health drive employee engagement?”

Moreover, it helps create a culture where employees can face changing environments and various challenges, flourish in their roles, and boost resilience to stress.

Comparing traditional and modern methods of supporting your employees’ mental health

EAPs are typically offered to employees as part of company benefits or health insurance. They can involve a variety of options for your employees to receive assistance, such as face-to-face counselling, online therapy, and exercise programmes like yoga. However, EAPs are a reactive service rather than taking a proactive stance on employee mental health. This typically leads to under-utilisation and significant drop-out rates, particularly with the rise of online mental health platforms as an alternative.

> You may be interested in our related article, “Why EAPs don’t work”

Online mental health platforms have risen in popularity alongside improved technology and accessibility. Their services are delivered in the form of video, audio, or live chat sessions with a therapist appointed based on their areas of experience. Therapy delivered over the internet has markedly improved, with much research demonstrating its effectiveness is equal to traditional therapy. This is particularly true for symptoms of low-to-moderate severity, such as anxiety, depression, and stress.

The best mental health platforms share some similarities with EAPs: they can be delivered online, provide access to a range of therapy services, and offer employees a safe space to disclose their issues. However, mental health platforms offer several advantages over EAPs and avoid some main drawbacks.

For instance, your employees usually need to access their EAP through HR, which can lead to lower takeup or even avoidance of its services due to embarrassment. It can also promote fear of divulging information in cases where company management is perceived as less trustworthy. The support provided by EAPs also doesn’t often take into account the individual’s needs and isn’t tailored to support a range of difficulties. This can render EAPs inaccessible and costly for companies.

Conversely, online mental health platforms are highly discreet. Many only require personal information limited to an emergency contact number in case of emergencies. They deliver tailored counselling services to accommodate a range of mental health issues that, unlike many EAPs, aren’t solely related to the workplace. Due to the minimal infrastructure required, they tend to be a more affordable option.

Benefits of mental health platforms for employees

The main benefits of online mental health platforms are that they encompass many of the benefits of other methods, such as traditional therapy or EAPs, with fewer drawbacks. With a level of effectiveness equal to face-to-face therapy, combined with affordability and convenience, mental health platforms can be valuable if you’re looking to invest in your workforce’s mental health.

A common approach adopted by mental health platforms is the use of preventative, self-guided exercises to help your employees develop resilience. This stands in contrast to the reactive approach offered by EAPs, and means that accessing care is convenient and can be planned into the day. Helping your employees develop proactive ownership over their mental health helps lower their risk of absence in difficult circumstances. 

What’s more, these platforms provide access to mental health practitioners across a range of needs, meaning the support is almost always tailored to the individual. Online platforms often provide profiles on their therapists to highlight their specialisms, and assure you as to their accreditation and experience. For example, Frankie Health describes its seven-step vetting process to ensure the highest standards of support across its therapists, psychologists, and coaches. The process is also entirely confidential, so your employees can feel confident and secure in seeking support.

The best mental health platforms for employees are also highly advantageous to employers due to the measurable outcomes they provide across employee goals. In many instances, they offer clear, informative, anonymous platform usage through data visualisation programmes to help give you a clear picture of your employees' progress.

8 best mental health platforms for employees in 2023

We created a list of the best mental health platforms for employers in 2023, with their pros and cons, to help you choose the right one for your employees' needs.

Unmind helps leaders create psychologically safe and engaged cultures and empower employees to lead more fulfilling lives. That means addressing every layer of an organisation and empowering every person to drive change for themselves and those around them. Unmind connects employees with more than 1000 therapists worldwide and can support a global workforce with more than 30 languages.

1. Offers a preventative approach (meditation, yoga, mindfulness)

3. Offers a therapeutic approach and connects employees with more than 1000 therapists

2. Supports healthy eating habits and personal relationships as well

4. Good for small businesses and SMBs in English-speaking countries

The mental health platform Frankie captures clinically validated data on stress, excessive anxiety, burnout, and depression to personalise each employee’s experience. Insights are anonymised and combined to reveal mental health trends in the company, helping you respond to your team’s well-being in real time. Frankie connects employees with more than 1000 therapists worldwide and can support a global workforce with more than 30 languages.

4. Good for SMBs and global companies with employees working from different countries5. Native Slack and Microsoft Teams apps

1. Doesn’t offer an employee engagement rate yet

2. It needs at least a team of 50 people for its AI to work properly

Virgin Pulse gives employees a single destination to access all their health and well-being benefits, including the industry’s leading digital health programs and certified coaches on-demand. From mental health programming to team challenges, Virgin Pulse keeps employees engaged with daily nudges, gamified programs, and a one-of-a-kind experience

1. Offers mental, physical, social, financial, and community health

2. Digital Experience on mobile & desktop powered by AI

5. 190 territories and countries supported

2. Doesn’t connect employees to real therapists

The mental health platform Headspace offers a collection of guided meditations and exercises through Its Android and Apple apps. Headspace helps employees with stress management, sleep, and self-care. Headspace gives access to a global Facebook community to chat and get support from other users.

1. Doesn’t connect employees to real therapists

Calm Business uses individual and group settings to develop effective mental wellness habits that continuously support your employees’ learning and exploration. Calm offers approachable mental health practices that are engaging, culturally relevant, and diverse.

1. Guidance from wellness experts and celebrities

1. Doesn’t connect employees to real therapists or psychologists

Learn about the best mental health platforms for employees in 2023, their benefits, pros and cons, including comparing traditional and modern ways of employee mental health support.

Learn about the best mental health platforms for employees, benefits, pros and cons, including comparing traditional and modern ways of employee mental health support.

8 Best Mental Health Platforms For Employees

Movies can be an excellent way to learn about mental health and related issues, as they can provide a dramatic and engaging way to explore these topics. However, it's important to remember that movies are not always accurate or complete representations of real life, and they may not provide a full or balanced understanding of mental health issues.

Here are ten movies that explore mental health themes in a thought-provoking and meaningful way:

8. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"

"The Shawshank Redemption" touches on several mental health themes, including confinement's impact on an individual's mental well-being, the importance of friendship and human connection in maintaining mental health, and the power of hope to sustain an individual through difficult circumstances.

One of the film's main themes is confinement's impact on mental health. Throughout the film, we see how Andy struggles to adjust to life in prison and how the isolation and lack of control over his own life take a toll on his mental well-being. However, despite the challenges he faces, Andy is able to find meaning and purpose in his life through his friendships with fellow inmates and through his efforts to make the most of his situation.

Another theme of the film is the importance of friendship and human connection in maintaining mental health. Andy's friendship with Ellis Boyce (Morgan Freeman) is a key factor in helping him adjust to life in prison and providing him with the support and encouragement he needs to persevere. Similarly, Andy's friendships with other inmates are also a source of strength and support for him.

Finally, the film explores the power of hope to sustain an individual through difficult circumstances. Despite the bleakness of his situation, Andy can maintain hope and a positive outlook, which helps him to find meaning and purpose in his life. In the end, this hope helps Andy overcome his challenges and find redemption.

The Shawshank Redemption scored 9.3 out of 10 on IMDb.

The Shawshank Redemption scored 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

In the movie "Good Will Hunting," the character of Will Hunting, played by Matt Damon, struggles with a variety of mental health issues. It is suggested in the film that he has a history of trauma and abuse, which may have contributed to the development of his mental health issues. Will also has a strong fear of intimacy and difficulty with relationships, and he struggles with anger and impulse control.

Throughout the movie, Will works with a therapist, played by Robin Williams, to address and cope with his mental health issues. He learns to express his emotions more effectively, build positive relationships, and make healthier choices.

Good Will Hunting scored 8.3 out of 10 on IMDb.

Good Will Hunting scored 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

This film tells the story of a man with bipolar disorder who tries to rebuild his life after a stint in a mental institution.

n the movie "Silver Linings Playbook," the main character, Patrick, played by Bradley Cooper, struggles with mental health issues including bipolar disorder. The movie follows Patrick's journey as he tries to rebuild his life after a stay in a mental health facility.

Throughout the movie, Patrick works with a therapist and takes medication as part of his treatment for bipolar disorder. He also struggles with impulsivity, difficulty with relationships, and problems with anger management.

One of the key themes in the movie is the importance of support and understanding from loved ones in managing mental health issues. Patrick's family and friends play a vital role in his recovery, and the movie highlights the challenges and rewards of supporting someone with mental health issues.

Silver Linings Playbook scored 7.7 out of 10 on IMDb.

Silver Linings Playbook scored 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

"Girl, Interrupted" is a 1999 American drama film based on Susanna Kaysen's memoir of the same name. The film follows the story of Susanna (Winona Ryder), a young woman who is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and committed to a mental institution in the 1960s.

Throughout the film, we see how Susanna struggles to adjust to life in the institution and how the treatments and therapies that she receives impact her mental health. We also see how the other patients at the institution, including a charismatic patient named Lisa (Angelina Jolie), help to shape Susanna's experience and understanding of her own mental health.

One of the main themes of the film is the stigma surrounding mental illness and the impact that this can have on individuals who are struggling with mental health issues. Throughout the film, we see how the medical professionals treat Susanna and the other patients at the institution and how this treatment can be dismissive and inhumane.

Another theme of the film is the impact of trauma on mental health. Susanna's struggles with mental health are rooted in the trauma that she has experienced in her life, including the death of her father and the emotional abuse that she has suffered at the hands of her mother. We see how these experiences have contributed to Susanna's mental health issues and how she is able to begin to heal and move forward with the help of therapy and the support of the other patients at the institution.

Girl, Interrupted scored 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb.

Girl, Interrupted scored 53 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

"A Beautiful Mind" is a 2001 American biographical drama film based on the life of mathematician John Nash, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. The film stars Russell Crowe as Nash and Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Alicia.

Throughout the film, we see how Nash's struggle with schizophrenia impacts his life and relationships. We see how Nash's delusions and hallucinations disrupt his work and personal life, and how the medications that he takes to manage his symptoms have significant side effects.

One of the film's main themes is the challenges that individuals with schizophrenia face in managing their illness and navigating the stigma surrounding mental illness. Throughout the film, we see how Nash's struggle with schizophrenia impacts his career and relationships, and how he and his wife Alicia work to find a way to manage his illness while also maintaining their sense of identity and purpose.

Another theme of the film is the importance of support and understanding in managing mental illness. We see how Alicia's love and support are instrumental in helping Nash manage his illness and find a way to live a fulfilling life despite his challenges.

A Beautiful Mind scored 8.2 out of 10 on IMDb.

A Beautiful Mind scored 74 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

 In the movie "Ordinary People," the main character, Conrad Jarrett, played by Timothy Hutton, struggles with mental health issues following a traumatic event in which he lost his older brother and nearly drowned. Conrad is diagnosed with depression and begins seeing a therapist, played by Judd Hirsch, to address his mental health issues.

Throughout the movie, Conrad struggles with feelings of guilt, grief, and a lack of motivation, and he has difficulty connecting with others and expressing his emotions. The movie explores the challenges that Conrad faces as he tries to navigate his mental health struggles and rebuild his life.

Ordinary People scored 7.7 out of 10 on IMDb.

Ordinary People scored 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

 "Revolutionary Road" is a novel by Richard Yates that was later adapted into a film. The story follows a young couple, Frank and April Wheeler, who are struggling with their relationship and their individual mental health issues.

Throughout the story, both Frank and April exhibit signs of mental health problems. April is depressed and feels unfulfilled in her life and her marriage, while Frank is disillusioned and lacks direction. Both characters attempt to find meaning and happiness, but their attempts are often misguided and ultimately unsuccessful.

The themes of "Revolutionary Road" are complex and multifaceted, and mental health is an important element of the story. The novel and film explore the ways in which mental health can affect an individual's relationships, career, and overall sense of self and well-being. It is a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful story that touches on many universal themes and experiences.

Revolutionary Road scored 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb.

Revolutionary Road scored 67 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is a 2004 science fiction romantic comedy-drama film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry. The film stars Jim Carrey as Joel and Kate Winslet as Clementine, a couple who undergo a medical procedure to erase their memories of each other after a painful breakup.

Throughout the film, we see how the characters' struggles with mental health and emotional pain are intertwined with their experiences of love and loss. We see how their decision to erase their memories is driven by a desire to escape their emotional pain, and how this decision ultimately leads them to confront their deepest fears and vulnerabilities.

One of the main themes of the film is the relationship between mental health and emotional pain. We see how Joel and Clementine's emotional pain is closely connected to their mental health, and how their decision to erase their memories is an attempt to escape this pain. However, as the film unfolds, we see how this decision ultimately leads them to confront their fears and vulnerabilities, and how they are able to find a way to move forward and heal.

Another theme of the film is the role of memory in shaping our understanding of ourselves and our relationships. Throughout the film, we see how Joel and Clementine's memories of each other are closely connected to their sense of identity and how the decision to erase these memories profoundly impacts their understanding of themselves and their relationship.

This movie is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant exploration of the complexities of love and mental health. It offers a unique and compelling portrayal of the ways in which our emotional experiences and mental health are closely connected, and the importance of facing our fears and vulnerabilities to find healing and growth.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind scored 8.3 out of 10 on IMDb.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind scored 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

"The Elephant Man" is a 1980 film directed by David Lynch, based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, a man who suffered from severe physical deformities due to a rare genetic disorder. Despite his physical challenges, Merrick was highly intelligent and had a deep inner life.

The film explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the human condition, and it touches on the intersection of physical and mental health. As a result of his physical deformities, Merrick faced significant social and emotional challenges, including isolation, discrimination, and stigma. Despite these challenges, he was able to find solace and meaning in his relationships with others and in his love of literature.

"The Elephant Man" is a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a nuanced portrayal of a person living with both physical and mental health issues. It highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and acceptance, and it serves as a reminder that everyone has their own unique experiences and challenges in life.

The Elephant Man scored 8.2 out of 10 on IMDb.

The Elephant Man scored 92 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

 In the movie "Lars and the Real Girl," the main character, Lars Lindstrom, played by Ryan Gosling, struggles with social anxiety and difficulty connecting with others. He begins to develop a relationship with a life-sized doll that he treats as a real person, and this causes concern among his loved ones and community.

Throughout the movie, Lars works with a therapist and his loved ones to address his mental health issues and connect with others more meaningfully. The movie explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the importance of social connections in mental health.

Lars and the Real Girl scored 7.3 out of 10 on IMDb.

Lars and the Real Girl scored 81 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

As you can see, some movies may provide great insight into real-life situations and offer viewers a deeper understanding of different perspectives and experiences about mental health.

Here are 10 of the best movies about mental health that explore this theme in a thought-provoking and meaningful way

10 of the Best Movies About Mental Health

When it comes to improving workplace performance, HR leaders and C-levels agree: it starts with employee engagement. 

Workbuzz reports that 57% of HR managers say employee engagement and wellbeing is their top priority. That’s even higher than diversity and inclusion, employee retention, hybrid working models and company culture.

Echoing this finding, 92% of business leaders believe engaged employees boost revenue and drive company success. 

It’s easy to see why. Engaged employees are effective employees. They’re tuned in, ready to face challenges and prepared to succeed. But there’s one major piece missing in the budding conversation about engagement – employee mental health. 

At Frankie Health, we’ve seen how mental health increases employee engagement. We measured a consistent uptick in our clients’ employee engagement rates after their team members began using our mental health platform. 

Frankie’s suite of digital mental health tools includes evidence-based assessments, burnout prevention resources and access to a worldwide network of therapists and coaches. Our unique perspective gives us the opportunity to see how the right mental health workplace practices can effectively increase engagement.

Let’s dive in and look more closely at the ways that mental health affects workplace performance. Then, we’ll help you start integrating mental exercises into your employee engagement strategy.

First, let’s define employee engagement and determine why it’s so important for your business. 

According to Gallup, employee engagement refers both to how your employees feel about their work and how they respond – that is, whether they’re excited about their job and how involved they are in the workplace as a result. Gallup’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Jim Harter, explains that deeper engagement allows employees to achieve more autonomy and a greater sense of personal agency at work. 

Employee engagement isn’t just about staying focused and meeting deadlines.

When team members are engaged at work, they’re present and intrinsically motivated. They value what they do, respect their company leadership and feel proud to be part of something bigger than themselves. 

From pulse surveys to eNPS metrics with software like Culture Amp and 15Five, there’s a growing movement among leading global companies to track and measure workplace engagement. Culture Amp reports that companies with high engagement rates see 13.4% higher stock prices on average as a result. 

How ignoring employee mental health affects workplace engagement and performance

No one can stay energetic at work if their personal tank is running low. Here are some of the ways that neglecting your employees’ mental health can kill engagement rates and overall performance.

We’ve all heard that we need to put on our own oxygen masks before we can help others. In terms of work-life balance, that “oxygen mask” often looks like self-care, ample opportunities for rest and quality time with friends and family.

Research from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that employees with a healthy work-life balance are happier, more satisfied and more engaged at their jobs. Without a healthy balance, team members will quickly burn out and tune out. 

This directly impacts turnover, as employees may leave for jobs where they’re promised more time to invest in their personal lives.

Stress and anxiety are the enemies of key relationship-building tools like communication, collaboration and conflict resolution. When chronic stress sets in, so do misunderstandings and missed opportunities for effective teamwork.

When employees feel drained, they’re likely to be less willing to put their heads together to solve a challenging problem. Exhausted workers are also less inclined to get involved in team-building activities or participate in social events. 

Creativity is one of the most essential assets in today’s workplace. But creativity takes time, energy and a whole lot of brain power. 

According to research in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, people who fully invest their emotional, personal and cognitive resources into their jobs are better able to reach their targets.

By contrast, burned-out employees tend to clock in, clock out and give their bare minimum instead of their best – in other words, they go into “quiet quitting mode”.

The connection between workplace wellbeing and physical health is often underestimated. The Harvard Business Review reports that 80% of workplace accidents and 80% of doctor visits can be traced back to stress. That means employees are more likely to visit the ER or doctor’s office due to the physical effects of stress and anxiety than anything else. 

Good mental health increases employee engagement 

If stress is the enemy of employee engagement, happiness is its best mate. When team members are motivated, valued and part of a positive company culture, they’re more likely to put their best foot forward every day at work. A study conducted at Oxford University found that happier workers are 13% more productive. 

But engagement isn’t a destination - like mental health, it’s a spectrum. Employees typically move between various states of engagement, from engaged to disengaged:

1. Engaged: Engaged employees are deeply attached to their work, sure of their roles and ready to contribute to larger company goals.

2. Less engaged: Less engaged team members may technically “do their job”, but they’re less energetic and less invested.

3. Disengaged: Disengaged employees feel detached, depressed or even bitter. This can lead to conflicts and other workplace problems.

With wellness on one end and crisis on the other, there’s a whole lot of room along the way for us to experience the highs and lows that come with being human. To support your employees most effectively, you’ll have to meet them where they’re at. This will show them you value them for who they are – not just what they do.

With Frankie’s holistic employee mental health platform, our clients are able to support their employees who need it most every step of the way. By tracking their team members’ wellbeing, they can provide meaningful resources and boost overall engagement at the same time.

6 ways to support mental health through your employee engagement strategy

Every relationship is a two-way street. Employee engagement and wellbeing are a direct reflection of the relationship between an employee and the company they work for. 

39% of employees say they’ll move on from a job if they don’t feel heard and valued. In our experience, that stat is even higher than reported. 

To build a positive relationship with your team members, you’ll need to earn their trust in meaningful ways that allow them to perform their best. 

Here are some effective ways to support mental health in the workplace with tools like Frankie – and help your team members meet company goals along the way. 

Stigma is, unfortunately, alive and well in today’s workplace – and threatening employee engagement rates every day. 

One McKinsey survey found that 37-52% of employees with mental illnesses said they avoided treatment because they didn’t want anyone to know about their condition. What’s more, nearly 70% of survey respondents who experienced mental health stigma said they’d missed at least one recent day of work because of stress or burnout. 

Frankie Health offers plenty of stigma-busting tools that can help you normalise discussions about mental health in the workplace. Our daily and weekly check-ins can help you integrate mental wellness into your regular workplace rhythm so no one has to feel alone on their journey.

Boosting employee mental health is a profitable move. Researchers at the University of Chicago recently found that employers see a $4 ROI for every dollar they spend on workplace mental health programs. Mental health is often a missing part of the employee engagement puzzle – but neglecting it is a costly mistake.

With a frictionless user experience, employees are much more likely to take advantage of their mental health benefits. That’s why Frankie’s platform integrates seamlessly into the tools your team members are already familiar with, like Slack and Teams. 

In just a few clicks, employees can book an appointment with one of over 1,000 therapists and coaches around the world. Thanks to this, we have a 40% usage rate in comparison to 5% (that of a typical EAP).

Want to know more? Check out our article about the ROI of employee mental health.

Strong working relationships are the backbone of employee engagement. It’s in your best interest to help team managers strengthen their relationships with colleagues, collaborators, supervisors and staff members from other departments. The work is always lighter with plenty of people to do the lifting. 

Frankie offers a variety of therapy groups (usually up to 12 participants per group), each led by one of our mental health practitioners, in over 50 languages and with specialties in over 148 areas (such as grief, trauma, resilience and loss). There’s no substitute for effective ongoing support.

In a recent informal Slack survey, HR managers told us their #1 go-to method for improving wellbeing at work was providing personal time off. We think they’re on to something. 

It’s much easier to “switch on” at work when you’ve taken the space you need to breathe and reset. Team members who miss a full day or two will return to work re-energised and renewed, making it a win-win for employees and employers. A full-effort four-day workweek is far more valuable and productive than a five-day week of going through the motions.

Taking care of your mental fitness doesn’t always have to be heavy or time-consuming. Mental health may involve one-on-one therapy, but it can also look like hitting the yoga mat or enjoying a refreshing walk in the middle of the day. 

You can build employee mental health into every workday until it’s as natural as breathing. 

Each of your team members deserves a voice. But many employees don’t feel they have one at work. A Dale Carnegie survey found that only 34% of high-ranking employees think their organisation engages them as leaders. When employees see their feedback is valued, they’re more likely to value your company in return. 

Offer multiple ways for employees to provide feedback – and don’t treat surveys as box-ticking exercises. 

Help your employees thrive with quality mental health support

Employee engagement and mental health go hand in hand. To keep your employees engaged, you’ll need to foster a company culture that fosters mental wellbeing at work. 

Keep in mind that every mental journey is unique, and any solution you will put in place needs to be extremely flexible in order to fit with the differences in culture, language, gender, age and character of your employees. 

Start building a more positive culture today with Frankie. Each of your team members will have personalised mental health resources at their fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

At Frankie Health, we’ve discovered that mental health increase employee engagement and in this article, we explain why and how. 

At Frankie Health, we’ve discovered that mental health increase employee engagement and  in this article, we explain why and how. 

How Does Mental Health Increase Employee Engagement?

Just as we can train our bodies to go for a walk or scale a mountain, we can train our brains to solve problems, handle stress and adopt a more positive mindset. Regardless of age or life stage, the brain is a muscle. Muscles can be strengthened with exercises and healthy habits – and yet, the term “mental fitness” is relatively new to the game. 

Building mental fitness is key to maintaining overall health, boosting engagement, optimizing well-being, and building mental stability. 

This article will tell you about 9 activities you can implement for yourself and at work with your people:

7. Initiate a mentorship or buddy program

Before analyzing each one, learn more about mental fitness and the benefits it can provide to your employees.

Mental fitness is an overall sense of emotional and personal well-being. 

Just like physical fitness, it's a spectrum, not a destination. Your brain is a malleable learning machine, so it’s no surprise that it’ll change throughout your lifespan. Significant life events, the quality of our relationships, the seasons, our daily habits and our age are just a few factors that impact our mental health.

Our understanding of mental fitness has expanded thanks to the study of neuroplasticity – an umbrella term that tells us how our brains naturally evolve in response to our experiences. We now have a deeper understanding of how specific exercises can develop our brains and transform the way we live our lives.

To build resilience, our bodies need to be challenged and trained – and so do our brains. For example, if you run the same route regularly, you most likely do so on autopilot. You don’t need to think about it too deeply. But if you moved to a different country and started to explore new streets, your brain would have to work harder. 

That’s exactly what mental fitness is all about: keeping your brain active and flexible. To change things up, you’ll need to give your brain’s well-worn neural pathways – the connections you’ve built through years of habits and routine – a bit of a workout.

But mental fitness doesn’t just mean being “harder, better, faster, stronger” (although the benefits of blasting Daft Punk are yet to be fully explored). It’s also about being grounded, grateful, empathetic and present. This internal framing can ultimately increase our intellectual stamina and improve our performance.

Here are just a few of the many benefits of taking the time to build your cognitive capabilities:

Meet challenges with a sense of calm, creativity and possibility. Overcoming new challenges develops self-confidence whilst mapping out new neural pathways.

From unconscious biases to negative assumptions, our brains love to jump to conclusions. Challenging those assumptions can improve our ability to relate to others. Increased empathy can improve relationships with loved ones, colleagues – and yourself.

Mental fitness can improve your physical well-being (and vice versa). People who report having positive emotions more frequently are less likely to experience chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.

Having a positive outlook on life can be a brain-saver. According to research published in Aging & Mental Health, optimism is associated with better memory, improved cognitive function, and a lower long-term risk of dementia.

Just as it’s easy to get caught in a stagnant pattern of physical inactivity, it’s easy for thoughts to get stuck in a rut. Easier said than done, we know, but research shows that we can break negative cycles by training ourselves to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

9 Mental fitness activities at work to start in 2023

At work, cognitive flexibility is a precious asset. People who can think on their feet and face difficult conversations with empathy and confidence make for better collaborators, listeners and leaders. Over 60% of managers say the traits they value most in employees – like active engagement, working well in a team and staying on top of the latest technological advances – are related to mental fitness.

Looking to bring wellness into the workplace? Here are some ideas to get you started. 

Take a few moments each day to notice your thoughts as they come up without judgment. Try to find the space between where one thought ends and another begins. Offering mental health apps can be an excellent way to promote mindfulness and mental fitness in the workplace.

The mind-body connection is real. Studies have found that physical exercise can boost mood, increase self-esteem and improve cognitive function. If it’s been a while since you worked out, don’t stress: three 10-minute walks a day can lead to many of the same benefits. 

Some of life’s most valuable lessons are learnt through games. But as we get older, our playful side can get left behind. Games such as crosswords, board games, and logic exercises can help to boost memory and even prevent Alzheimer’s disease. 

Give your brain a workout by actively (and, when possible, calmly) stepping out of your comfort zone. Whether you’re exploring existing hobbies or learning something new, overcoming hurdles and expanding your skillset can provide a sense of purpose and passion.

Work in departments (or randomly allocated teams) to encourage team building. Earn points for every activity a team member completes. Try mindful meditations, morning yoga, quick HIIT workouts, sleep stories and more.

Take a walk, phone a friend, race to the gym – whatever you do, take that lunch break. Creating a company culture that promotes taking breaks can actually increase the team’s productivity. 

This is a great way to pass on valuable information and normalise asking for help as a sign of strength, collaboration and growth.

Spotlight a colleague’s recent achievement, thank a department for meeting a tight deadline or send a quick note to say you value someone’s positive approach to work. Bonus points if you create a #feedbackfriday channel on an existing team tool (like Microsoft Teams, Slack or Monday.com). Sharing positive shoutouts publicly is a great way to make team members feel appreciated. 

Send an open invitation to the company. Meet once a month or once a quarter to plan fun events and activities. Organise everything from Friday afternoon hikes to paint and Prosecco happy hours. Go on, bookmark this page for ideas! 

Depending on the style and size of your organisation, some of these ideas may have to come from management. Simplify and adapt them as needed.

Is there a mental health platform to help? 

You’re in the right place. At Frankie Health, we offer activities that develop mental fitness, allowing employees to easily book video calls with coaches and therapists. 

Whether you’re looking for tools to reduce burnout or increase team morale, Frankie’s data-driven platform will help you build a wellness movement with just a few clicks. Come say hi!

Learn more about mental fitness activities at work, such as maintaining overall health and boosting employee engagement and self-esteem.

If there's one thing that the pandemic has taught us in the last three years, it is that our emotional, psychological, and social well-being is equally important as our physical well-being. No wonder employee well-being is top of mind for executives at small, medium, and large organizations.

Recent studies found evidence that web-based and smartphone-based therapies yield tremendous benefits for individuals with anxiety and depression. Taking care of our mental health is a part of our everyday routines. It is easiest to manage when integrated with tools that we already use, like Slack. So, at this onset of 2023, let us take a look at the Top 10 Mental Health Apps you can use on Slack this year:

Slack apps can have significant potential to deliver high-efficacy mental health interventions. Technology can close the distance between employees and the latest mental health and mental fitness approaches, creating a frictionless experience that transforms how mental health treatment is delivered and accessed. Therefore those apps can significantly impact employee engagement and the overall business, with a great return on investment. 

What It Does: Frankie is a personalized and private well-being platform for employees. It is created on the fundamental belief that stress is not binary, it is on a spectrum, and every employee is at a different level at different times. 

What We Like About It: Once it identifies where you are on the stress scale, it uses clinically proven assessments to predict/prevent burnout before it actually happens (through videos, check-ins etc.). In the event of burnout, it offers a therapeutic approach to help the employee recover (through therapists).

Unexpected stories about mental health & the science behind it.

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8 Best Mental Health Platforms For Employees

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How Does Mental Health Increase Employee Engagement?

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10 Best Mental Health Apps on Slack

How to promote mental health in the workplace in 2023

How to manage employees’ layoff anxiety

How to measure the ROI of employee mental health

Top 3 tips for managing your anxiety

Mastering your email, master your mental health

Top tips for improving your focus at work

Energy management to avoid burnout

Top tips to boost your creativity

Creating better social interactions

Relationships and your mental health

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What is your 'Window of Tolerance'?

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What is the wheel of life?

Finding your inner Walt Disney

Build a happy workplace