Feel Good, Work Good! Promoting Mental Health in the Workplace.
We all know that when you’re feeling your best, you perform at your best! On the flip side, an employee that’s suffering from a mental health issue might not only feel the effects in their personal life, but can also feel less engaged at work, have lowered productivity, and lowered focus. Although mental health and self care is becoming a topic that more workplaces are aware of, the trend needs to keep going to help all employees (and employers) feel supported and happy!
An employee coping with mental health issues is not always easy to spot. It’s critical for employers to create a supportive work environment by providing relevant resources and building a culture that prioritizes self care and mental well-being. Here are some tips to keep the workplace supportive:
- Speak openly about mental health and keep the conversation going. It’s important to speak openly about mental health and help make everyone feel comfortable and supported. Mental health isn’t something that can be brought up one time and expect it to be fixed, it’s a work in progress that needs continuous attention.
- Include all levels of staff (including the employer). CEOs need me time too! Self care is important no matter what your job title is. The employer should be setting a good example and taking care of their own mental health in order to demonstrate and support the rest of their team.
- Offer the option for employees to take mental health days off. Part of preventative health involves giving yourself a break every once in a while. Allowing your staff to miss work in order to recharge can help avoid more serious issues in the future.
- Pay attention and be ready to help. If you do notice an employee behaving differently, don’t hesitate to ask them privately if everything is alright. Even if they are fine or don’t want to talk about it, remind them you’re there to help and have access to resources, but don’t overstep boundaries.
- Make sure your resources are relevant and accessible. Frequently audit your mental health resources to make sure they’re accurate and up-to-date. Make sure all employees have multiple ways to access these resources and minimize the number of steps it takes for them to find it.
- Prioritize confidentiality and anonymity. Although you may be talking more openly about mental health, it’s important to realize that not everyone is going to feel comfortable discussing it. Reassure your staff that privacy is a priority and that your resources are there to help if they don’t feel comfortable talking at the workplace.
- Design a mentally healthy work space. Physical aspects of a workspace can help with stress and mental care such as natural lighting, plants, and other positive features. This can help employees feel at ease and energized.
Now more than ever, it’s critical to stay up to date on resources and practices to keep mental care a priority for everyone at work. We have great resources available at our mental health support page at the link below, or you can contact us at 204-727-0008 to discuss more about self care at the workplace.
We Help Westman Work!
————————————————————-
Resources:
https://www.wchrs.com/mental-health/
Sources:
https://lifespeak.com/10-ways-to-improve-mental-health-in-your-workplace/
