Workers are demanding that employers take the initiative to normalize mental health in the workplace, and leaders in organizations of all sizes can create positive culture change. Supporting your staff’s mental and emotional health will improve their mental health, company morale, and your bottom line.
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jane van bramer I am the president and CEO of Sweeter. You can contact her at: jvanbramer@sweetser.org
Thankfully, the stigma around seeking and providing mental health support and treatment is decreasing. Here are some ways to make 2024 the year your company prioritizes mental health.
promote a positive environment
Leaders need to create a positive, open and respectful environment. Like most initiatives, it starts with a commitment to modeling this behavior.
That means looking out for your team, giving public praise but not private criticism, switching off during vacations, not texting on weekends, and taking care of yourself. To do. If your employees see you burning the candle at both ends, arguing with your teammates, and not taking care of your own mental health, they’ll know you’re not taking theirs seriously either. You won’t believe there is.
Once the top leaders are on board, it’s time to focus on the managers. These people work closely with employees and are the first to identify problems. Managers need to be trained to recognize when an employee is unwell and know how to best respond.
Sweeser is proud to offer free mental health first aid training to any organization looking to help their teams better identify and respond to emerging problem behaviors.
prevent psychological damage
Leadership’s greatest impact on teams often lies in how leaders support their staff, not only in terms of job performance, but also in reducing psychological stressors.
Ensure staff have clearly defined roles and performance expectations. A lack of clarity can cause undue worry and stress. It’s also important to give employees a purposeful work experience. Ask employees for their opinions and suggestions on decisions. Lack of autonomy, high workload, and pressure can definitely create a toxic work environment.
Simple environmental solutions include bringing plants into the office, encouraging lunch breaks and healthy eating, and keeping the office temperature at around 70 degrees, the most comfortable temperature.
intervene early
Difficulties arise and unexpected things happen. As a manager, it is important to be aware of changes in employee behavior so that you can intervene early to support your staff’s health and avoid developing more severe disorders.
Behavioral changes to watch for include employees frequently being late without you noticing, skipping lunch, missing deadlines, or becoming more extroverted or introverted than usual. can be mentioned.
Emotionally, employees who are struggling may show renewed irritability and loss of confidence. Increased mistakes and difficulty concentrating and making decisions are also early warning signs. These are important to note for early intervention. Having the opportunity to talk and listen to your employees before things get worse is key to maintaining a healthy workplace when the inevitable life challenges arise.
Helps you rest and recharge
Work-life balance may mean different things to different people, but employers should encourage employees to use their earned vacation time. Let’s create a culture where this is talked about openly and as a positive thing.
Suggest that your staff take mental health breaks during the day. A short activity like going for a walk, even if it’s just around the parking lot, can re-energize people. This provides an opportunity to reset your mind away from computer screens and office spaces. Taking time to rest and recharge has been proven to help increase focus, creativity, and productivity.
When it comes to retention, consistency, and performance, fostering a healthy and mentally resilient workplace is one of the most impactful ways you can support your success and growth as a leader.
