Supporting Mental Health as an Employer
Mental health is no longer a taboo subject with the likes of U OK M8? and Mental Health Awareness Week spreading the message that it’s OK not to be OK. According to mental health charity Mind, 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. If you take a look at your office, how many people would that be? Anyone can face struggles with their mental health at some point in their lives so it’s important as an employer to be prepared to provide the best possible support.
At the end of 2018 the Health & Safety Executive published new guidelines advising employers on how to support staff who are experiencing a mental health problem. This was a pivotal step towards normalising mental health in the workplace with a push for it to be treated in the same way as physical health. It’s something which affects us all and can be extremely serious, if you have a responsibility for people in your office, it simply can’t be ignored.
With this in mind, we wanted to explore some of the things which you can do to promote mental wellbeing and support those who are struggling in your workplace.
Open up a dialogue
One of the simplest things you can do is just to talk about mental health. Introducing the topic in an open and respectful way shows your employees that you are accepting and most importantly, that you value their wellbeing. Some people are open when it comes to talking about sensitive topics whereas others may have never spoken to anyone about their problems. Opening up a dialogue about mental health not only shows that it’s not a taboo within your office but it will also offer an avenue for those who may want to talk to someone but aren’t sure how to start the conversation.
Look out for signs
Mind recently reported that less than half of staff think managers would spot their mental health problems. It’s important to note that unless you are a trained medical professional, it’s not your job to diagnose anyone. However what you are able to do is look out for any signs of mental illness. Most people spend the majority of their time at work so you may be able to spot symptoms that aren’t as apparent at home. Mind have lots of online resources which are useful for identifying symptoms of a variety of conditions. If you do suspect someone is experiencing difficulties, you can signpost them to the appropriate support systems.
Be flexible
Sometimes the smallest change can have a huge impact on making someone’s life that little bit easier during a difficult time. For example, being able to leave work early to avoid the often anxiety inducing rush hour home or taking a 15-minute break when it all gets too much in the office. These things are small and are not too disruptive but can make a big difference to someone’s day. Communication is key here as everyone will have different needs so ensure you have a conversation to discuss what will best help the individual.
Minimise work stress
Work is one of the most common causes of stress in the UK and can aggravate existing mental conditions such as anxiety and depression. Reducing someone’s workload or moving them on to a less demanding project can help to alleviate unnecessary stress whilst they recover. Again, it’s important to speak to the individual as they will know what’s best for them. For example, for someone who finds being busy a healthy distraction from their problems, reducing their workload will not be beneficial.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental illness is complex and it can be very difficult to know what the right course of action is for someone who is suffering. Depending on the size of your team and your budgets, having at least one trained Mental Health First Aider can be invaluable. In the event that there is someone struggling in your office, it will be extremely beneficial to have someone who is trained to provide the correct guidance. Currently St John Ambulance offer half day, one day and two day courses in locations across the UK.
Self-care
Irrespective of role, if you have responsibility for those with poor mental health, it’s essential that you also consider your own wellbeing. Depending on the severity of the situation it can be mentally exhausting to support those who are struggling and can even lead to your own problems. Exercise self-care and take a step back if you feel it’s necessary. On an aeroplane you are instructed to look after yourself before helping others in the event of an emergency. Take on board this same mentality, if you yourself are struggling you will be less able to support and care for others.
These are all relatively simple to implement and don’t require a huge amount of your resources. Mental health affects us all, yourself included. Even though someone may not have a diagnosis for a mental illness, this doesn’t mean they can’t have poor mental health days. Champion mental wellbeing for all your staff, not just those who are suffering. You may even be able to prevent someone from developing a condition or an existing illness worsening.
There are lots of online resources available for employers, mental health is serious so always seek advice and guidance from a qualified source. We’ve included some useful links below:
