Open letter about mental illness at work

For World Mental Health Day, we would like to take a moment — which we hope will be lasting — to discuss mental health in the workplace.

An iteration of this letter was originally sent to the Officevibe community via our newsletter on June 21st, 2018.

One would think that the threads that connect us would bring us closer together, but we often have the tendency to avert our eyes from what makes us uncomfortable — or what we can’t understand — instead of using it as an opportunity to connect.

It’s unfortunate that while the topics of mental health and mental illness undoubtedly touch each and every one of us in one way or another, we can’t seem to talk about it without stigma or shame, if we decide to talk about it at all. As the wonderful Brené Brown teaches us, “shame can’t survive being spoken about”, and this is what we’ll discuss here today.

A Glimpse into Wellness in the Workplace
Officevibe measures employee engagement using 10 key metrics. Of these metrics, Wellness consistently holds the lowest score amongst our users, at an average of 66%. Likewise, the Personal Health sub-metric, which measures elements including how mental health is perceived within an organization, holds the low average of 69%.

It’s not the best news (not the worst either), but the simple act of measuring it in your organization will help bring the discussion to the forefront and is, therefore, a big step towards improving the status quo. It is true that more and more organizations are beginning to incorporate wellness programs and mindfulness training into the workplace, understanding that taking care of its people is their greatest differentiator.

The truth is that mental health is something that we all need to focus on. Each and every one of us needs to be part of this conversation because mental health and mental illness do not stop at the office door. We need to care for our mental health the same way we are encouraged to care for our physical health: daily.

The Workplace is a Community Just Like Any Other
The workplace is a community filled with real people and their realities, just like any other community in the world. It’s not separate or isolated from “real life” and people aren’t immune to whatever happens beyond the office walls. Employers must understand that coming to work does not mean leaving life behind — it’s a continuation of it in another space.

This is why leaders, managers and employees alike need to work together to foster more inclusive work environments that keep people and their well-being at the center of focus (above profit and success). Doing this will undoubtedly increase performance, engagement and in effect, your organization’s bottom line.

Some may see wellness as “fluff” — what does it have to do with business and profit? Why is it the responsibility of the company to take care of people? Think again, and be careful of this mindset because it won’t get you very far. According to Gallup, “whatever business you’re in, you’re in a people business”. And since the future of work is human, the people-first strategy is the best business strategy there is. Period.

The truth is that today, work is no longer just about “work” or a paycheck — it’s a place of learning and growth where we have the opportunity to become better versions of ourselves as people (not just workers), connect with a larger purpose and of course, each other. People want authentic and meaningful experiences in life, and this extends to their role as an employee in the workplace. This means commitment and reciprocation from the organization they give their all to. What better way to demonstrate this than fostering a culture where people can bring their whole selves to work? A place that says, “Be you!”

5 Ways to End the Stigma Today

As a leader in your organization, change starts with you.

1. Talk about it: The first step in overcoming this stigma is talking about it at an organizational, team and when appropriate, individual level. Remember, talking about it removes the shame and therefore helps others join the conversation. Acknowledge it and the prevalence of mental illness today.
2. Make it an inclusive discussion: Acknowledge the importance of maintaining mental health and wellness for everyone so as not tomake it an “us”/ “them” conversation. Invite open conversation, and educate people on the matter using facts to break the stigma.
3. Lead by example: As a leader in your organization, you need to model the behaviour you want to see on your team. To care for your team’s wellness, be sure to demonstrate the value of work-life balance by taking care of yourself too. Also consider allowing yourself to be vulnerable with your own emotions, in order to create a safe space of trust where employees feel safe to share theirs as well.
4. Understanding before reprimanding: It’s key to understand that often what seems to be the problem (absenteeism, decreased performance, negative attitude) is actually a symptom of something else. Before reprimanding employees for a bad job, first, try to understand where it’s coming from by having a conversation fueled by empathy.
5. Remind them that you care: Reminding your employees that you have an open door policy and that you’re there for them makes all the difference. You may have said it once or twice, though often people don’t like to be a burden and will avoid speaking up. Check in with your colleagues and employees regularly, ask questions, and help them find solutions.

“At Officevibe, we strive to create a psychologically safe space where employees feel secure to bring up whatever is on their mind, and most importantly, be themselves. Our Safe Space initiative is the foundation for this psychological safety, promoting an empathetic, people-centric work environment. While we have started the discussion on mental health at work and offer an Employee Assistance Program, we still have a long way to go. We know now is the time and we are committed to being part of the conversation and continually enhancing the awareness around mental health.”
- Officevibe, Culture and Organization team

There is nothing more important than your health, and the health of those around you. With this in mind, we urge you to consider every day World Mental Health Day.

RESOURCES FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM

• Mental Health in the Workplace: Tips from the World Health Organization
• American Psychological Association: Managing Stress at Work
• Heads up: Mental health resources and tips for employers, employees and managers

HOW OTHER COMPANIES ARE GETTING INVOLVED

• Squarespace’s “Speak Your Mind” initiative
• Spotify’s new mental health podcast, Killing It
• Hacking Health’s mental health innovation workshops

We look forward to working together to build a better future of work for everyone!

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