5 Ways to Improve Your Team's Mental Health in the Workplace
If you feel as though your mental health isn’t as good as it could be, or if you suspect that people on your team may be having a rough time, and you want to support them. Here are some of the things you can do to help… Keep reading below.
Take Care of Yourself
If you want to do the best possible job at looking after your team, then you need to take care of yourself first. If helping others comes at your own expense, then you won’t be able to sustain the support you are giving people. You may also find that you become burnt out and frustrated. If you want to help yourself here then focus on yourself. You can ring a friend, take a bath or do whatever you like. Taking these few step will help you feel better about yourself and will help you to be more engaged with your team.
Lead from the Front
Employees often take cues from their leaders as to how they should behave. This means that employees who hold senior positions tend to be key resources when it comes to mental health and wellbeing. As an example, if you are a leader who often opens up about their mental health then this will ease the load of other people when they feel as though they need to talk about their struggles. Leaders are just as likely to go through very tough times, so it’s important that you don’t try and hide it.
Pay Attention to your Instincts
If possible, be mindful in spotting the warning signs of someone who might be struggling. This can be hard, especially with more and more people working remotely. One thing you need to keep in mind, is that if something doesn’t quite feel right then it probably isn’t. Someone may not be acting like their usual self or they may start to turn up late even though they have always been punctual. If you think that something isn’t as it should be then open a conversation. Whether you approach them, or they approach you, it is imperative that you support them where possible.
Raise Awareness about Mental Health
There is a lot of stigma about mental health in the workplace. Employees are sometimes reluctant to talk to their managers if they are struggling with health issues. If you want to break this stigma then utilize more internal communication channels, such as blog posts or even newsletters. You can then try to raise awareness about mental health in a way that is healthy and convenient.
Share resources with your team
If you know that someone on your team is struggling with anxiety then one thing you can do is encourage them to seek help. It may be that they need treatment for anxiety or that they need a professional who they can talk to. Either way, it is a good idea for you to point people in the right direction if you feel as though they need it.