Today marks World Mental Health Day 2022, with this year’s chosen theme to ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’. The aim being to provide an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers and employees to come together and recognise progress within the field.
Talking about what we can improve and prioritising mental health to be on par with that of the importance that physical health holds is key. With this year’s theme, we want to make it a global priority. We need to start by carrying this message into workplaces to ensure this is put into action across all elements of the business.
By encouraging employees to prioritise their mental health, we we can help spread this message further outside of the workplace. Here we identify five steps your business can take to support your employees with their mental health…
Regular wellbeing check-ins
Talking about feelings may not come naturally to everyone, and some of us feel reserved about sharing their emotions. Providing an open line of communication can help with that.
However, just remember to approach the topic carefully as mental wellbeing can be a sensitive topic for some. Ask open-ended questions like ‘How are you finding the workplace?’ or ‘What can we do to further support you?’ to encourage employees to open up.
Check-in every month with new starters. Once they are established this can be extended to every three to six months if suitable. Although, if you have any concerns or the employee requests more regular contact then adhere to that.
Share online resources
Those struggling may not always know how or where to seek help. Providing varied resources that offer them different support, materials, and tools regarding their mental health could be useful. Resources that can be visited anytime, anywhere!
Just remember one solution does not fit all so, if you are going to be providing resources to your employees, place them into a knowledge hub that is easily accessible.
If you’re having difficulty as to what resources to use, visit Mind who provide free resources that cover different mental health topics, situations, and support approaches.
Encourage team communication around wellbeing
As the saying goes two heads are better than one so, keeping up communication across your team is key in supporting people’s mental wellbeing.
Hold weekly team meetings to check in with everyone and encourage team conversation then between that time promote team activities and communication amongst themselves.
Team activities can help with bonding and build a line of open communication within team members that provides a safe space for those struggling to share any feelings they may have.
We all have bad days, and your team needs to be made aware of how they can all help one another.
Provide learning courses
It could be your company has many employees; this often makes it more difficult to ensure people’s mental wellbeing is being cared for to the best of your ability.
So, how can you fix this?
A learning course could be beneficial in this circumstance as they are a good resource when you have a high number of people in a company.
You could have a singular course or multiple courses that cover the different aspects of mental health and wellbeing, how to help yourself and others. This can be provided to everyone in the business or at least employees and managers so, they all have the relevant tools available to them.
Allow for ‘me’ time
Finally, work and life outside of that can become overwhelming at times so, something as simple as providing a short break or giving some ‘me’ time could relieve some of these issues.
Give them time for a cup of tea, a walk outside, or to just have a chat with a colleague! And don’t wait to be asked by the employee, make that time for them as the employer.
We need to support everyone with mental health and incorporating these five steps into your business on a regular basis is the start in doing this. In addition to this you can also get involved in discussions today and share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay. We’ve also talked about inclusivity in the Workplace and how to support that in another blog post, so if you’re interested in providing further support you can read it here!
