A well-designed employee mental health survey should cover a range of topics to help identify stressors, assess overall well-being, and gauge satisfaction with current mental health support resources. Here’s an outline of questions and a couple of suggestions for a reliable survey template, followed by effective strategies that can help manage employee mental health in the workplace.
Sample Employee Mental Health Survey Outline
1. Overall Mental Health and Well-being
- How would you rate your current mental health? (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)
- How often do you feel stressed at work? (Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always)
- How often do you feel overwhelmed by your workload? (Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always)
- In the past month, how often have you experienced feelings of anxiety or worry related to work? (Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always)
2. Work-Life Balance
- How satisfied are you with your work-life balance? (Very Satisfied, Satisfied, Neutral, Dissatisfied, Very Dissatisfied)
- Do you feel you have enough flexibility to balance work and personal responsibilities? (Yes, No, Unsure)
- How often do you find it challenging to disconnect from work during personal time? (Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always)
3. Job Satisfaction and Motivation
- Do you feel valued and appreciated at work? (Yes, No, Unsure)
- How often do you feel motivated by your job? (Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always)
- How likely are you to recommend your organization as a good place to work? (Very Likely, Likely, Neutral, Unlikely, Very Unlikely)
4. Support and Resources
- Are you aware of the mental health resources available to you? (Yes, No, Unsure)
- How likely are you to use mental health resources provided by the company if needed? (Very Likely, Likely, Neutral, Unlikely, Very Unlikely)
- Do you feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns with your manager or HR? (Yes, No, Unsure)
5. Suggestions and Feedback
- What could the company do to improve mental health support?
- Are there any specific resources you feel would benefit you or the team?
Recommended Survey Templates
- CDC Worksite Health Scorecard: Includes questions about mental health policies and practices, covering a wide range of topics.
- Mind Share Partners’ Workplace Mental Health Assessment: This assessment tool is specifically focused on mental health and allows you to measure the state of mental health in the workplace.
Strategies for Supporting Employee Mental Health
1. Create a Mental Health Policy
- Outline your commitment to supporting mental health.
- Define available resources and clarify how employees can access them.
- Include information about flexible work hours, leave policies, and employee assistance programs.
2. Promote Work-Life Balance
- Allow flexible working hours and remote work options.
- Encourage employees to take breaks and use their vacation days.
- Avoid a culture of late-night emails and overworking.
3. Offer Mental Health Resources
- Provide access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) with counseling services.
- Host workshops and training sessions on stress management, resilience, and mindfulness.
- Consider subscriptions to mental health apps, such as Calm or Headspace, as part of employee benefits.
4. Build a Supportive Culture
- Encourage open conversations about mental health to reduce stigma.
- Train managers on how to recognize signs of mental health challenges and how to support their teams.
- Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Days to raise awareness and emphasize the company’s commitment.
5. Regular Check-ins and Feedback Mechanisms
- Conduct regular mental health surveys and provide feedback sessions.
- Encourage one-on-one check-ins between employees and managers.
- Use pulse surveys to gauge stress levels and well-being throughout the year.
6. Physical and Mental Health Benefits
- Offer gym memberships, meditation classes, and yoga sessions.
- Create quiet zones or relaxation rooms in the workplace.
- Subsidize wellness programs that promote both physical and mental health.
Regular surveys, paired with actionable mental health programs, will foster a culture that supports and values employee well-being.
