I Cry a Lot But I Am So Productive

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while awareness is definitely going up, the feeling we can't do enough to help is very real.

In a recent meeting with a client, a young manager confided that one of her employees had admitted they were going through mental health issues. And her comment was profound: "I've always been told to look for a workplace that supports my mental wellbeing. I didn't realize it could be me that had to do the supporting. I don't really know what to do."

It's tough to be human, no matter which side of wellbeing you are on at any given time. We don't have all the answers, but we have some resources.

Overwhelmed, Overthinking, and Just Over It

If you noticed the Taylor Swift reference in the title of this piece, it's a reference to her song I Can Do It With a Broken Heart. Whether that is or isn't your jam, the lyric has caught on quite a bit with those who feel the emotional and mental squeeze. When it comes to supporting people, we have to consider the causes and emotional load along with the possible fixes. Lunchtime yoga for employees is nice, but not if it's the only break they get all week.

Resources to Take Action

• Understand the stigma that holds us back from effectively supporting those with mental illness. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a stigma-free pledge to ponder.

• Hearing a lot about burnout but don't really know what it is? The Mayo Clinic lays out the warning signs and risk factors. Read through the list and ask yourself what your organization does to mitigate these feelings or situations? What does it do that might agitate them?

• Read PCG's steps to cracking down on burnout in the workplace. On the list at #4 is distributing workloads efficiently and equitably. This is a process we help our client's with by running role realignment workshops.

Need to reset the balance for your team? Check out our services!

Asking for help when you're overwhelmed can be hard, but we specialize in maximizing your capacity and helping your team expand to meet your goals.