Mental health issues impact a significant number of employees, often going unnoticed due to their invisible nature. This lack of visibility, combined with the stigma surrounding these disorders, can make employees hesitant to seek treatment for fear of jeopardizing their jobs. Meanwhile, managers and colleagues may want to offer support but often feel unsure of how to help. What solutions can we implement to address this issue?
This post will explore strategies recommended by professionals at a talk series event, as well as their personal anecdotes and advice.
The topic of mental health
Many companies fail to prioritize mental health, leaving employees feeling unsafe and vulnerable. This lack of attention can result in workers feeling confused and overwhelmed by their workloads. Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton is a great book that resonates with this conversation. Through street portraits and interviews across New York City, Stanton explores personal stories to delve into the concepts of wellbeing and what truly matters to individuals.
The term - "healthy work-life balance"
When the term 'balance' is used to describe a healthy work-life dynamic, it often brings to mind an image of scales, with a person striving to keep both sides level. It's important to recognize that spending more time in one area, such as with family, can be necessary to restore daily motivation. Another way to visualize balance is through four quadrants - health, work, family, and friends - where focusing on each area is equally essential for overall well-being.
Practical solutions
Common but powerful suggestions include hiring a mental health counselor within the company and working to break the mental health dialogue barrier. Both employees and employers should be encouraged to recognize and address any signs that may indicate something is off with a co-worker. Actively listening to employees can be fruitful in offering relevant advice, and companies should maintain transparency about the services they can provide.
Strategies to increase happiness
Although it may not be the primary responsibility of a company to keep employees happy, there are ways to encourage happiness in the workplace. For example, a social break time, such as regular 15-minute coffee roulette chats, can provide a powerful break from work. Additionally, HR-curated questionnaires should be encouraged to gather honest insights into the current state of things.
External support available outside
Providing clear signposting to where help is available, as an alternative to raising issues or concerns directly with a manager, is important. Examples of signposting include contact details for mental health charities or local external services, such as a drop-in service offered by a mental health charity, which can support employees in times of emotional distress or crisis. Additionally, consideration should be given to hiring external mental health counselors if employees lack sufficient resources.
Supporting co-workers at times
Similar to the saying, 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink,' it's important to give individuals the space they need. You should never force someone to open up if they’re not ready. The best form of support may involve stepping back and offering help within your limits. Sometimes, the most supportive action is simply leaving the situation alone.
Achieving a good work lifestyle
Setting your own personal boundaries is important. For example, you might choose not to answer emails during late hours. One suggestion is to include a line in your emails, such as: ‘Please respond when you are available, as this query is not urgent.’ Small changes like this can go a long way in helping you set better boundaries in the workplace.
Seen the ad? Tell me more about it
Many companies fail to prioritize mental health, leaving employees feeling unsafe and vulnerable. This lack of attention can result in workers feeling confused and overwhelmed by their workloads. Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton is a great book that resonates with this conversation. Through street portraits and interviews across New York City, Stanton explores personal stories to delve into the concepts of wellbeing and what truly matters to individuals.
The term - "healthy work-life balance"
When the term 'balance' is used to describe a healthy work-life dynamic, it often brings to mind an image of scales, with a person striving to keep both sides level. It's important to recognize that spending more time in one area, such as with family, can be necessary to restore daily motivation. Another way to visualize balance is through four quadrants - health, work, family, and friends - where focusing on each area is equally essential for overall well-being.
Practical solutions
Common but powerful suggestions include hiring a mental health counselor within the company and working to break the mental health dialogue barrier. Both employees and employers should be encouraged to recognize and address any signs that may indicate something is off with a co-worker. Actively listening to employees can be fruitful in offering relevant advice, and companies should maintain transparency about the services they can provide.
Strategies to increase happiness
Although it may not be the primary responsibility of a company to keep employees happy, there are ways to encourage happiness in the workplace. For example, a social break time, such as regular 15-minute coffee roulette chats, can provide a powerful break from work. Additionally, HR-curated questionnaires should be encouraged to gather honest insights into the current state of things.
“The way I think about culture is that modern humans have radically changed the way that they work and the way that they live. Companies need to change the way they manage and lead to match the way that modern humans actually work and live.” – Brian Halligan, CEO, Hubspot
— Trueblogposts (@trueblogposts) September 2, 2020
External support available outside
Providing clear signposting to where help is available, as an alternative to raising issues or concerns directly with a manager, is important. Examples of signposting include contact details for mental health charities or local external services, such as a drop-in service offered by a mental health charity, which can support employees in times of emotional distress or crisis. Additionally, consideration should be given to hiring external mental health counselors if employees lack sufficient resources.
Supporting co-workers at times
Similar to the saying, 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink,' it's important to give individuals the space they need. You should never force someone to open up if they’re not ready. The best form of support may involve stepping back and offering help within your limits. Sometimes, the most supportive action is simply leaving the situation alone.
Achieving a good work lifestyle
Setting your own personal boundaries is important. For example, you might choose not to answer emails during late hours. One suggestion is to include a line in your emails, such as: ‘Please respond when you are available, as this query is not urgent.’ Small changes like this can go a long way in helping you set better boundaries in the workplace.
Seen the ad? Tell me more about it
Improved Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) provide confidential counseling, resources, and support for mental health issues. Ask your manager or supervisor for more information.
This post overall seeks to highlight key elements that contribute to a happier workplace. While the list is not comprehensive, it serves as a helpful starting point for discussion.
Resources
(Article) It’s a New Era for Mental Health at Work
This article, published in the Harvard Business Review, discusses the changing landscape of mental health challenges in U.S. workplaces. It highlights the need to address stigma and the emerging link to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
(Article) Navigating Mental Health at Work: A Reading List
This resource is helpful for those struggling with mental health at work, as well as managers who want to prepare for conversations with employees.
(Paper) Thriving at Work: a review of mental health and employers
This report explores what employers can do to better support all employees, including those with mental health problems, to remain in and thrive through work.
Last updated: 20/03/2025
Share this:
7 comments:
Congratulations on raising a very important issue. Truth be told everyone struggles sometimes but most people are afraid to admit it, especially in high-pressure work environments. I particularly like your thoughts on work-life balance. To me, it is an ideal that just brings added pressure. I also feel that recognizing and celebrating that we are all fragile and sensitive beings is the first and most important step. No one has to be on top of everything all the time!
Respecting each Other's boundaries, is a good way of affirming ourselves as unique beings entitled to have and express unique feelings. This lifts our sense of self.
I think this is something that all of us can stand to read. All of us can get so wrapped up in our own stuff, especially at work, that we forget that others are going through their own stuff, too.
this article is very timely, especially right now when the pandemic is causing too much stress on people. having an environment that helps alleviate these stresses is really helpful in keeping us to move forward. thanks for this!
Mental health is the workplace is very important, it is the reason I left a few jobs. Companies need to understand that happy employees are more loyal and productive.
In the past, I think it was more customary at work to separate the personal from the professional, but that often left people with a sense that they had to be a robot when they came into work. There is a fine line between being your full self and having your human experience while still being professional, but I think we should be walking that line, because we spend so much time at work anyway!
We should really acknowledge the need to maintain and check the current state of our mental health. We should also check the workplace and ensure that we are aligned with it.
Post a Comment