How Leaders Can Support Mental Health

October 10 is World Mental Health Day.?

If you’ve got an employee activity planned today or this month with wellness talks and free food, then that’s really cool. Just remember that supporting and safeguarding employees' mental health doesn’t just start and stop with these one-off events. It’s something that must be part of every leader’s agenda, not just for a day or a month, but everyday.

Here are some simple and sustainable ways leaders can support and safeguard mental health:

Conduct Regular Check-ins

I love check-ins! This is an essential part of workshops or coaching sessions I facilitate. This is more than just an icebreaker or energizer. It encourages people to open up, be vulnerable and connect better with others. This is such an underrated and underutilized powerful tool that leaders can use both in 1:1 and group meetings.?

Check-ins need not be lengthy or elaborate. Simply asking questions like, “How are you?” or “What are you looking forward to this month?” can reveal thoughts and emotions that your employees have been keeping to themselves. Check-ins aren’t only great to build connection, but it’s a great way to keep productivity and performance on-track.?

Check out this Harvard Business Review Article for more tips on checking in.??

Walk Your Talk

It’s easy to wear a button that says “I support mental health” or use a virtual background that says, “Mental Health Awareness Month”, but the true test of mental health support is through what you say and do everyday.?

?? Do you tolerate jokes about mental health issues??

?? Do you brush off your employee’s concerns and quickly label them as “lazy” or “slow” without ?? understanding why??

?? Do you overstep boundaries by sending text messages or emails beyond work hours?

?? Do you force your preferences to your team, even if you know that there are other ways to get the job done??

?? Do you join conversations that make fun of another team member who is struggling or who is different from others??

As a Leader, you have a huge impact on your team’s culture . So make sure that your words and actions are aligned.?

Give Yourself Permission to be Vulnerable

In my early days as a leader, I thought that to be a good leader, I need to be flawless. I need to project an image of being strong, unafraid and unaffected. ?? It made me appear like a bronze-plated hero on a pedestal… brave, relentless, yet lifeless. Dead. My team did not feel the warmth or the sense of connection. I didn’t feel it either. ??

According to an article in Forbes magazine, “by embracing vulnerability, leaders create an environment that nurtures trust and opens communication, which are integral components of learning and innovation.” I learned this the long and hard way.?

So be human, be full of life. Don’t be afraid to talk about your mistakes and weaknesses. Your team will appreciate you more for this. ??

Remember

Remember, supporting and safeguarding mental health doesn’t have to cost you so much time and money. ??? You can integrate this in the daily activities that you do.

Don’t know where to start?

If you’re not sure where or how to start, send me a note. I’d be happy to share with you other quick tips, or facilitate a team coaching or team workshop to get the ball rolling. ??

For more tips on career, leadership and coaching, check out these FREE resources.

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Coach Kurly de Guzman is a Career and Leadership Coach and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices based in the Philippines. She continuously seeks ways to help coaches, leaders and teams thrive through her newsletter, leadership and career development workshops as well as group and 1:1 coaching sessions for clients.

To work with Kurly, send an email to [email protected] or book an exploratory call to discuss your organization’s needs here .