The above-referenced Forbes article discusses several impactful ways leaders can support employee mental health in the workplace.
- The importance of open communication in the workplace is highlighted, with an emphasis on leaders creating an environment where mental health discussions are normalized. This approach helps reduce stigma, raise awareness, and encourages employees to feel comfortable sharing their concerns.
- Flexible work arrangements, such as adjustable hours and remote options, play a key role in supporting employees’ work-life balance and mental wellbeing.
- Access to mental health resources, like counseling services and wellness programs, is also crucial in helping employees manage stress and anxiety, demonstrating an organization’s commitment to their health.
- Training and raising awareness among managers is another vital component. By equipping leaders with the skills to recognize mental health concerns, organizations can provide better support and enable early intervention. This proactive approach creates a more supportive workplace atmosphere.
- Fostering a positive workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing encourages individuals to seek help when necessary.
Together, these practices help create a healthier work environment, improving both employee wellbeing and overall productivity. Julius Thomas, M.S. expands below:
Leaders can effectively foster open communication about mental health by taking the initiative to discuss it themselves. When leaders openly engage in mental health conversations, employees are more likely to feel comfortable and less vulnerable discussing their own mental health challenges in the workplace. Leaders, whether intentionally or not, set the standard for what behaviors are considered acceptable in the workplace. By demonstrating openness and a commitment to addressing mental health, leaders take the crucial first step in supporting employee wellbeing.
Flexible work arrangements have become a complex dynamic in the modern workplace, but their primary benefit is to give employees the flexibility to care for themselves and their families while still meeting their work responsibilities. Employees who feel they have the flexibility to manage personal and family needs are more likely to view their workplace as supportive of their wellbeing. Leveraging technology and encouraging team members to support those who need flexible work arrangements are key strategies for helping employees meet work goals while maintaining their overall wellbeing.
In my experience, education is the most impactful mental health resource for employees. In the health sciences, it is well understood that knowledge of health risks and behaviors precedes the adoption of healthy behaviors. One of the biggest barriers to mental health prevention is the lack of mental health education. When individuals become aware of the risk factors that affect their mental health and the strategies to prevent mental health challenges, they are empowered to make lifestyle changes and develop psychological skills. A common oversight is providing employees with mental health resources without educating them on how to use them effectively. I often say, “Having exercise equipment in a room doesn’t make people healthy—teaching them about the importance of exercise and how to use the equipment properly does.” Similarly, it’s important to provide mental health resources, but even more critical to encourage their use and educate employees on when and how to access them.
The most important way for leaders to recognize and support employees facing mental health challenges is to understand how to connect employees with the mental health services available within the organization. It’s essential to note that it is not the leader’s responsibility to diagnose or provide counseling for employees struggling with mental health issues—such tasks are outside their training and could lead to burnout. However, leaders can be strong advocates for employee mental health by being knowledgeable about available mental health benefits. Another key way for leaders to support mental health is to gather feedback from employees about their mental health experiences. At Optimal Performance, we’ve had great success helping clients implement surveys and workshops that allow employees to voice work and life-related stressors. These initiatives not only help leaders better understand the stress and emotional wellbeing of their teams but also provide a safe space for employees to share their mental health concerns anonymously or in a more vulnerable setting with colleagues. Surveying team mental health is an invaluable tool for leaders to assess the mental health status of their teams and, with proper support, implement strategies to improve mental health within the workplace.
Appearances
- Julius will be speaking in Miami, Florida at The Wellness Oasis™ on December 5, 2024. He will discuss how to prioritize our adolescents’ mental health.
- Julius is giving the keynote speech at the Tangram Interiors Sales Summit in Newport Beach, CA on January 23, 2025.