It's no secret that happy employees are productive employees, and that productivity is an important component of a thriving business. But what many companies don't realize is that mental health can be just as important as physical health.

In fact, according to research from the World Health Organization,

"Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide." That's right: depression is more disabling than heart disease, cancer, and other chronic conditions.

So how do you support your employees' mental health? Here are three simple ways:

1) Encourage them to take care of themselves. If they're not feeling well, let them go home early or take a day off if they need it. And don't be afraid to ask how they're doing—people who feel supported will always be more productive than people who feel unsupported.

2) Offer resources for self-care. This could include things like meditation classes or yoga sessions on-site or even just a quiet room where employees can go if they need some time alone or with other coworkers who can relate to what they're going through.

3) Have open conversations about mental health issues within your company culture—this will help create a culture where it's okay for people to share their experiences and concerns without fear.