How Business Leaders Can , Prioritize Mental Health , in the Workplace.br 'Newsweek' reports that the COVID pandemic br took a clear toll on the collective mental br health of people living in the United States.br According to the Centers for Disease br Control and Prevention, br 2021 saw suicide rates rise by 4.br From April 2020 to April 2021, , the rates of anxiety and depression, quadrupled.br Here are some things that 'Newsweek' recommends br for business owners and managers looking to emphasizebr the importance of mental health in the workplace.br Set the tone, Adopt behaviors that encourage improved mental health.br Avoid unnecessary anxiety by practicing br patience, active listening and striving to build br strong connections within your team.br Create a safe environment, Help remove the stigma around depression br and anxiety by allowing employees to br feel comfortable discussing their mental health.br Create a safe environment, Help remove the stigma around depression br and anxiety by allowing employees to br feel comfortable discussing their mental health.br Policies and practices, Help employees manage their mental health by considering programs that provide support.br This can include offering flex time or work-from-home br options, PTO packages with "mental health days" and br encouraging employees to take advantage of benefits.