Addressing mental health and its struggles sensitively in the workplace can feel challenging. But alongside physical health, to function properly we would require our mental health to be good and proper. However, the topic is still taboo which prevents us from openly discussing it. There can be someone in your personal life or professional life, close to you, yet going through mental health issues that you know nothing about! You need to be very careful while reaching out to them and that’s where sensitivity is a must.
Well, before learning about how to deal with it in the workplace, let’s talk about the obvious signs of a person who is struggling with mental health issues.
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Problems with Focusing
If you see your employee making silly repetitive mistakes and finding it hard to focus, it indicates that the employee has something else on his mind.
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Changes in Mood
Irritability is another sign that people often show when they are struggling with their mental health. If you notice someone going through a mood change or getting irritated a lot faster than they used to, it might be a sign of their struggle.
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Isolation
When we don't feel good, we try to hide it from others which leads to isolation. Do you also know an employee who often shies away from social interaction? Or pushes people away? Or literally, never takes part in any social activity? They are probably battling their mental health battles.
Now, let’s focus on how to make the workplace better while taking care of the mental health of the employees:
1. Connecting One-to-one
If you ask your employees whether they are going through any issues regarding mental health, none will raise their hands in a room full of people, because it is uncomfortable. So the first step would be to connect to the employees one-on-one so that a comfortable relationship can be built.
2. Encouraging to Increase Team-involvement
Healthy work culture not only looks after everyone’s mental health in the workplace but also increases productivity. So focus on creating a healthy work culture and encourage your employees to take part in group or team activities. It not only strengthens the team bond but also introduces a relaxed atmosphere.
3. Provide Training Regarding How to Deal with Mental Health Issues
None knows everything!! But basic training about mental health and its struggle can provide support to the employees when they share their discomfort. One-to-one communication and verbal discussion with the employees while addressing their issues will also enlighten their issues and give you a chance to help them fight back and feel healthy once again.
4. Set a Clear Policy
Setting a clear work policy will reduce the burnout of employees along with workplace anxiety and tiredness which are often the reasons that trigger their comfort zone.
5. Encourage Openness
Establish a strong bond with your employees and encourage them to be open about their struggles. This will help them feel comfortable enough to report if they are going through any tough times.
6. Allow Flexibility
It is important to make the employees feel like they are more than just substitutes for machines. Most of the time, the reason why employees encounter exhaustion in offices is because of the stress that their jobs produce. In this case, if you allow and offer some flexibility it will restore their work-life balance. A great example of this is 'remote working' or allowing them to take a few days off.
7. Communicate Even When it is not Necessary
Communicating with people when it is not necessary might be uncomfortable for some but those who are struggling with their trauma can benefit a lot from it. It makes them feel important and someone worthy of being interesting.
Working on all these tips might be challenging but doing something opposite of doing nothing sounds and feels way better. So do the necessary work, take the required steps and create a comfortable and safe workplace for your employees today.
