Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace

When I started speaking professionally, I wanted to take my services to the corporate world and highlight the importance of mental health.?

I remember HR directors inviting me to talk to their employees about mental health, and they would provide pre-written blurbs for my session that focused primarily on depression.

I’d politely decline their statement and share with them how I’d train and share insights that would address the broad brush that mental health paints over our lives.

Yes, mental illnesses such as Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression impact members of our society, however, mental health–not illness–impacts us all.

Breakups

Carrying for special needs children

Menopause

Lay-offs

Infertility

Promotion

New baby

Adoption

Chronic pain

Relocation

Miscarriage

Cancer

Aging parents

And then 2020 happened, and you can add “pandemic” to the list.

There’s a saying, “Just keep living,” because eventually, you will experience something that will impact your life. And with this pandemic, we all have been experiencing some level of Acute Stress Disorder.?

It’s disappointing that a pandemic had to hit for the topic of mental health to gain more attention. But I’ll take it.?

Mental health affects all aspects of our lives, including our work. The World Health Organization reports that mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, and the workplace is no exception. In fact, a study by the American Psychological Association found that workplace stress costs U.S. employers an estimated $500 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare costs.?

The thing is, we experience life as a whole. We may want to compartmentalize and separate it all, but the reality is these areas bleed together—some more than others.

This is why addressing mental health in the workplace (and school, churches, etc.) is crucial. Because trust me, that divorce is impacting your team member. That grave report from the doctor is what’s on top of their mind more than what’s at the top of their inbox. That loss of a loved one has rocked their world.

But those damn TPS reports. (Shout out to Office Space.)

When employees are struggling with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or burnout, they may find it difficult to concentrate on their work, meet deadlines, or even show up to work at all. This can lead to absenteeism, presenteeism (being physically present but not fully engaged), and reduced overall job performance, which can be costly for employers.

Having an environment where mental health issues and illnesses are normalized can create a more positive and supportive work environment.?

Employees who deal with personal stressors do not want to deal with the additional stress that can exasperate their current circumstances.

This includes:

• Having to explain why you need to take time off
• Having unclear and unrealistic deadlines and expectations
• Lack of empathy from leaders and colleagues
• Lack of reasonable accommodations that can support employees in fulfilling their responsibilities

When employees feel that their mental health is valued and supported, they are more likely to feel engaged and motivated in their work. This can increase job satisfaction, employee retention rates and improve workplace culture.

Three ways that employers can address mental health in the workplace:

1. Provide resources and support for employees who may be struggling. This could include access to mental health professionals, employee assistance programs (EAPs), Processing Spaces (see below), or simply encouraging employees to take breaks and prioritize self-care.?
2. Offer flexible work arrangements.
3. Provide opportunities for employee feedback and input, and ensure that employees feel valued and recognized for their contributions.

Overall, raising awareness about the importance of mental health in the workplace is critical for creating healthy, productive, and supportive work environments. If we minimize the well-being of our employees, we should not be surprised by the minimal results and effort that employees bring.

In the next issue, we’ll discuss additional workplace stressors and how the lack of psychological safety affects employees' mental health and well-being.?

_______________________

The well-being of employees is my highest priority, and I hope it’s yours!

One way that we at WorkingWell Daily support employees is through our Processing Spaces.

Processing Spaces are employee-centric sessions that allow employees to have a chance to exhale. They’re facilitated by a licensed psychotherapist to process current events (in and out of the workplace) and work-life alignment while gaining self-care tips and emotional intelligence tools.

Employees often leave these sessions refreshed after being supported by their peers and equipped with new knowledge and actionable steps to move forward with their day.

These hour-long sessions are intentionally small group sessions (no more than 20 individuals) to help cultivate a sense of safety where everyone can be seen and heard.

If you are interested in bringing Processing Spaces to your organization, email us at [email protected].

________________________________________________________________

Farah Harris is a psychotherapist and expert on workplace belonging and well-being dedicated to disrupting unhealthy work environments. She is the founder and CEO of?WorkingWell Daily? , a company that approaches workplace belonging and well-being from a psycho-social and emotional intelligence lens. As a speaker, consultant, and now author, she has helped individuals and Fortune 500 companies develop healthier workplaces where leaders and teams have grown in their empathy, self-awareness, and sociocultural awareness

Sign-up for the insider track to the release of her upcoming book,?The Color of Emotional Intelligence