The Mind Matters - Why Mental Health is HR's Competitive Edge

                     


                    



Why mental health and well-being is a critical priority for Human Resources


In an organization well-being is closely linked with productivity and the operations of the organization. In the world of work, mental health moved from the edge to the mainstream. When mental health became a priority of the organization people become more competitive advantage and increase productivity, retention and culture. Research shows that employees who are more health in mentally are deliver optimal performance than others who are not. Healthy and happy employees have a better quality of work life balance, lower risk of disease and improve productivity than communities with poor wellbeing (Adams, 2019).


Here are key drives for growing focus on this concept


Massive change in work pattern

As we all know during Pandemic season, work from home model became more popular and it is lead to isolation and anxiety due to many obstacles. In addition to that remote working model offer new stress to workers due to spending more time on digital devices and remote connection. So reduce stress and improving the mental health of employees who are not presence in office is major issue for the HR.

Employee Expectation

    When Employee expectations no longer for salary and promotion, they are caring about their own mental health and wellbeing. Organization which does not follow practices to improve mental health and employee wellbeing will lose more talented people to achieve targets.

   Cost of ignoring Mental health

    An organization may face reduced productivity due to stress and resistance by neglecting the risk of mental health. Even if employees are present in the office physically, but mentally not fit, organization may not achieve the targets. Due to high labor turnover, an increase in recruitment cost and re-training cost. Organization is always in an uncertain situation, and the company image may be damaged as a result.

    Legal compliance

  As the employee value increased employee well-being in labor law. Ignoring will matter for reputational damage and legal risk. Employer has legal obligation to ensure employees mental health and safety. Mental health became disability under anti-dissemination law.

(Mental Health in the Workplace: A Guide for HR Professionals to Support Employee Well-being – International HR Institute, 2001)

Existing Practices in Sri Lankan airlines for mental health


According to Sri Lankan Airlines corporate news (n.d), Sri Lankan airlines launched Employee Assistance Centre (EAC), to offer professional advice to employees regarding employee work related and personal related issues. This is to ensure that every individual contact directly management their own issues without any intermediate. The EAC have access to provide employees advisory and counselling services on areas such as work life balance, parenting and child-minding, coping with stress and emotional challenges in professional and personal life, higher performance and developing the spiritual quotient. 
Addition to that some companies launched system that allows to provide feedback whether theirs concerns, issues have been solved by the HR as expected.


Conclusion

Mental health is not a secondary concern anymore since it becomes more important factor to organization. When Organization with happy employees with their working environment, their productivity will improve automatically. And it is creating a culture where the people perform well and fell being they are valued to the organization. When considering these concerns research proves employee mental health become strong foundation sustainable growth.











References 

Adams, J. M. (2019). The Value of Worker Well-Being. Public Health Reports, 134(6), 583–586.Available at - https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354919878434


Mental Health in the Workplace: A guide for HR professionals to support Employee Well-being – International HR Institute. (2001, November 8). Available at - https://ihri.ph/mentalhealthsupportguide 

 SriLankan Airlines launches Employee Assistance Centre to provide guidance for staff. (n.d.). Available at - https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/corporate/news 



 




Comments

  1. Sandun T JinadasaNovember 12, 2025 at 9:27 AM

    This is an insightful discussion emphasizing the growing importance of mental health in the workplace. However, maintaining mental stability is highly complex, as human mentality continuously changes with personal experiences, social pressures, and environmental factors. Unlike physical health, mental well-being is deeply individualized and influenced by emotions that evolve over time. While organizations can provide support systems such as counselling and awareness programs, they cannot fully control or address every personal challenge employees face outside work. Therefore, HR’s role should focus on creating a psychologically safe and empathetic environment, while encouraging employees to seek continuous self-care and professional guidance beyond organizational boundaries.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thisaru imankaNovember 13, 2025 at 2:45 AM

    Insightful read! Prioritizing mental health isn't just the right thing it's a strategic move. A mentally well workforce drives engagement, retention, and performance. HR's true edge lies in creating a culture where minds matter.

    ReplyDelete
  3. chamith maheshaNovember 23, 2025 at 1:39 AM

    This blog clearly explains why mental health is now a key HR priority, and I like how you connect it to productivity and employee expectations. The example from Sri Lankan Airlines also makes the topic practical. One small thing you could improve is the flow between the key drivers, as a few points feel slightly out of order. A short link before the airline section would also make the structure smoother. Overall, it’s a strong and meaningful post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousDecember 4, 2025 at 8:06 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ushan ThalahagamaDecember 4, 2025 at 9:47 PM

    This blog clearly highlights why mental health and well-being have become critical priorities for HR in today’s workplace. With rising stress levels, increased workloads, and rapid organizational changes, employees need strong support systems to remain engaged and productive. I appreciate how you explain HR’s role in creating a healthy work culture through policies, awareness programs, and accessible resources. Focusing on mental well-being not only reduces burnout but also strengthens retention, performance, and overall job satisfaction. Your insights emphasize that caring for employees’ psychological health is no longer optional, it is essential for building a resilient and sustainable workforce.

    ReplyDelete

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