Anxiety disorders. Mood disorders. Eating disorders. Post traumatic stress. ADHD. If you are one of the 20 percent of North Americans who suffer from a mental health disorder, you know how debilitating it can be in all aspects of your life. Not only can your personal life suffer, but it can have a huge impact on your professional life as well.

More and more companies are tuning into their employees’ well-being, and for good reason. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy about $1 trillion per year. By 2030, a staggering 50 million years of work will be lost to depression. Supporting workers battling mental health issues isn’t only the right thing to do on a human level – it makes sense when it comes to the bottom line.

“We know that treatment of depression and anxiety makes good sense for health and well-being; this new study confirms that it makes sound economic sense too,” said Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, in a press release. “We must now find ways to make sure that access to mental health services becomes a reality for all men, women and children, wherever they live.”

The WHO study found that every dollar invested in treatment for mental illness has a return of $4 in better overall health and productivity, and a five percent improvement in labor participation and productivity is valued at $399 billion. Improved health alone has the potential to boost returns by $310 billion.

No doubt, providing proper treatment is an issue that extends far beyond employers – governments, institutions and health care professionals play a huge role – but there are strategies that can be implemented to improve mental well-being in any workplace.

It’s also important to note that mental health disorders may appear different in a workplace compared to other situations – the symptoms may not present in the same way as they would in a different environment. There is rarely a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all solution.

1. Open the Door and Remove the Stigma

Normalizing mental health struggles and having an open-door policy can help set employees at ease. Knowing they can be honest about the challenges they face – and encouraging people to communicate them – allows management to ensure workers get the support they need, both outside and inside the office. Depending on your company culture, including information about well-being in newsletters, or even holding a special seminar on the subject can go a long way in making employees feel comfortable discussing mental health challenges. Many think they will be treated differently or may lose their job if they open up, so confidentiality is key. People need a safe space to disclose.

2. Know the Signs

Though every situation is unique, being able to spot the signs of someone struggling with mental health issues can be a great help. Not all people with depression cry all day, and those with anxiety may not have full blown panic attacks. Common symptoms can include low mood, irritability, fatigue, forgetfulness, withdrawal and indecisiveness. It’s not a manager’s responsibility to diagnose mental health issues or force anyone into treatment, but recognizing the signs can help in planning the best way to address issues with productivity, performance or attendance. Don’t be afraid to ask if everything is all right and let them know you’re there to help, if they need it.

3. Create a Great Space

Environment can have a great impact on well-being. A welcoming space with lots of natural light, comfortable temperatures and good air quality can improve mood and productivity. Ensuring workspaces are ergonomically correct, controlling noise and offering a variety of areas that employees can utilize throughout their day depending on their mood and task can also be beneficial, if it works with your model. Allow staff to personalize their workspace, decorate with colors that make them happy, and encourage them to keep it as tidy as possible. Studies show that a cluttered environment can trigger anxious responses.

4. Encourage Work-Life Balance

Not every workplace can offer yoga classes or guided meditation to help their employees de-stress or heal. But there are plenty of other things that can be offered to prioritize well-being. First, many experts recommend ditching the stigma around sick days – they’re not just for flu viruses anymore. Taking a mental health day can be just as important as taking one to recover from a sinus infection and can help prevent bigger issues down the road. If you notice someone who is consistently putting in extra hours, or taking work home with them frequently, check in to ensure they’re not burning out and ask if you can be of any help. Firmly establish expectations around time off. Are your employees expected to answer emails after hours? Should they be accessible while on vacation? Make sure there is no confusion.

5. Accommodate if Needed

If you have an employee struggling with mental health, be open to accommodating their needs (within reason, of course). If they need time off to seek professional help via regular counselling sessions, work with them to see if their schedule can be rearranged. Perhaps two 15-minute mindfulness breaks throughout the day could help them focus, reduce anxiety and increase productivity. Assist them to make a plan to bring more structure or normalcy to their role and encourage predictable tasks, which can reduce anxiety for some people. Just letting them know you’re there to help and offering empathy can go a long way.

Because you can’t always “see” mental illness, we sometimes don’t treat it as seriously. You’d likely never walk past an employee having a seizure or ignore someone who had just suffered a workplace accident. By changing our perceptions around mental health and well-being, we can help our employees through tough times, in the workplace and beyond.