10 October is World Mental Health Day and this year's theme is workplace mental health.
The theme this year is to highlight the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing within the workplace, as this is not only beneficial to employees, but to the organisation and their communities.
Work can have a siginificant impact upon an indivdiual's mental health and the Mental Health Foundation stated that 875,000 workers suffered with work-related stress, depression and anxiety in 2022/23 and that mental health was the 5th most common reason for sickness absence in 2022. These numbers highlight the importance for the workplace to support employees with their mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation references having a mentally healthy workplace, but what does that look like in practice, well it consists of open dialogue and providing a safe space, where convesations can take place about mental health without fear or judgement. Provding training that equips individuals with the tools for identifying employees who may be struggling with their mental health, as well as being able to respond to employees as they navigate their way through their struggles. Implement support measures and reasonable adjustments at an early stage, as this will help to support the employee to be in work and to sustain their attendance.
Talking is good for mental health and talking about mental health is important and vital for creating a mentally healthy workplace, but starting the conversation can be tricky to navigate, as there is a fear of saying the wrong thing, but also around what the employee may tell you. However, this fear should not deter employers from talking about mental health and the Mental Health Foundation have provided some tips for talking about mental health, which are as follows:
find a good space to talk without distractions
listen and ask questions
ask how you can help
A good space to talk
If you are concerned about an employee, try to find somewhere whereby you can have a conversation, that provides for a neutral space and avoids distraction. Provide the employee with your full attention and it may be helpful to place phones onto silent or a do not disturb setting, in order to reduce the risk of distraction.
Listen and ask questions
Listening is one of the most valuable tools we have and shows to an employee that you are there to support them. Demonstrating that you are actively listening can be done by making eye contact and not interrupting. Questions can be asked to clarify what the employee means by what they say and it also shows that you are actively listening. The questions must be relevant and must not be as a means to change the subject. Use open questions where possible, and allow time for the employee to respond. Avoid presuming or answering on their behalf.
Ask how you can help
Ask the employee as to how you can help them, or offer suggestions, but reframe from telling them what to do. They may require your help with seeking professional support, so you can provide information regarding support that is available to them.
Resources for good mental health
Mind resources to support workplace mental health
HSE Management Standards for work related stress
Resources to assist with starting and having difficult conversations
Samaritans
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone- else/how-support-someone-youre-worried-about/
Mind
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/supporting- someone-who-feels-suicidal/about-suicidal-feelings/
Harmless
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