Talking about mental health in the workplace
Many managers in Australian workplaces are uncomfortable talking about mental illness at work. Leaders, at all levels of an organisation, need to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to manage mental illness for the benefit of all.
With concerns about mental health continually rising in Australia, it’s never been more important for organisations to know how to support their employees.
In a recent article about the importance of asking R U OK? in the workplace, we looked at the reasons why Australian are suffering from mental exhaustion. It’s important to talk more about the impact of mental health issues and the responsibility of employers in creating a positive work culture for their staff.
The fact is, at any given time, 1 in 5 Australian employees are likely to be experiencing a mental health condition. With so many people suffering in silence from the effects of anxiety, panic and depression, there’s a great possibility that person sitting in your Zoom meeting who always seems fine is suffering in silence. Why is there still such a stigma attached to talking about mental health?
It’s really important for managers and team leaders to support any employee who appears to be struggling. If you’re in a leadership role, you need to make sure that mental health is considered as part of your organisation’s work health and safety strategy.
Your HR department may have additional suggestions on how to start the discussion with your team. If employees are encouraged to seek help early, it can minimise the impact on their professional and personal lives.
By raising an organisation’s mental health literacy, an employer can increase employees’ knowledge of the symptoms and warning signs. In turn, this brings awareness of one’s own mental health – and what can be done to alleviate or manage symptoms – and greater support for others experiencing mental illness.
Here at Inbloom, we have been offering for many years an interactive 45 minutes R U OK? Workshop to support this important cause. This virtual workshop can literally save someone’s life; when pressure is high and you feel isolated, the darkest thoughts can emerge in your mind. We are committed to empower and educate people to take care of their mental health & wellbeing, whilst learning ways to support their colleagues who might be struggling. Let’s talk about it, please email us.