The Power of Empathy: How Leaders can Support their Employees' Mental Health

As leaders, we understand that our team members’ well-being is just as important as their productivity. Especially during these challenging times with the pandemic and remote work, it's our duty to prioritize our employees' mental health. Empathy is a powerful tool that we can use to create a nurturing and supportive workplace culture. When we show empathy, we foster an environment where our team feels acknowledged, heard, and supported. This, in turn, promotes a sense of safety and comfort, encouraging them to share their struggles and seek help without hesitation.

The Importance of Acknowledging Mental Health Issues in the Workplace

Mental health is a complex and important topic that affects many aspects of a person’s life. It can be a source of distraction and even debilitating at times. There are often indicators of mental health issues, such as red flags or behaviors that are similar to those linked with substance abuse.

Creating a safe and welcoming space for employees to share their physical, mental, and medical health concerns is important. This can be achieved through open communication and acknowledging that mental health issues are a reality that needs to be addressed.

Recognizing abnormal behaviour and approaching employees with empathy and support is essential. Instead of reprimanding or assuming poor performance is due to incompetence, asking, "How are you today?" can make a world of difference.?

Being aware and concerned for employees' well-being is integral to promoting a positive work culture and achieving optimal job performance.

Signs of Mental Health Issues in the Workplace

The truth is, what's normal for you may not be normal for someone else. As leaders, it's important to recognize when we or our team members are "off." From my experience of managing hundreds of people over the years, I've learned that being there for your team members is the number one thing you can do to support their mental health. When people feel alone, they often turn to negative behaviors. By simply being present and listening, you can help them feel less isolated and provide a safe space for them to share their feelings. In fact, 90% of issues can be solved just by someone being present and available to listen. It's easy to believe we're alone in our struggles and push others away, but having someone to talk to can be the best medicine.

Mental health issues can manifest in various ways, from addiction and substance abuse to depression and anxiety. Often, individuals experiencing these issues will push people away and isolate themselves. But having someone to confide in can make all the difference. This is where the concept of 1-2-1's comes into play - these meetings provide an opportunity for employees to share whatever is on their mind, even if it has nothing to do with work.?

Employees are more likely to open up and share their struggles when a safe and trusting environment has been created. These meetings are a great way to connect and build trust. Sometimes, it's not always about business but just venting or having a good conversation. Skipping meetings or pretending they're unnecessary shows a lack of care and can negatively impact relationships with team members. Showing up and actively listening can improve work quality and positively impact mental health.

Some mental health concerns can't always be fixed with just a conversation. Redirecting team members to seek additional support or resources may be necessary. Mental health is no joke and can't just be wished away. Changing behavior, surroundings, or routine may be necessary to make positive and lasting changes.

Changing the Narrative

Twenty years ago, I led a sales department at Macy's, one of the largest retailers in the US. My employees worked long hours for low pay, often struggling to make ends meet. Many faced tough life circumstances, including mental health issues and personal struggles. Back then, there was a stigma attached to talking about these issues, making it difficult for employees to get help or support. Struggling with being a single mother, having two jobs, or dealing with abuse at home – in itself is something you often don’t want to talk about. Couple that with it distracting you from work and your personal goals; it can feel like a personal weakness that you don’t share, and companies years ago didn’t want to hear it. “Figure it out and show up to work” was the attitude.

It used to be that if you were struggling with substance abuse or alcoholism, most companies would simply fire you for not performing your job. However, today many US companies offer health benefit plans that protect your job to a certain degree as long as you acknowledge the issue, seek help, and apply for a family medical leave of absence in order to get treated for your illness.

Although it's easier in some cases to talk about mental health issues now, it's still up to the individual to feel comfortable sharing and wanting to fix the problem. If employees are trying to figure out how to fix it or feel it's not fixable, they need a support system. Given that many of us spend half our lives at work, employers and leaders should be responsible for creating a safe space for employees to have open conversations about these issues. It should be understood that healthy employees are crucial for business success and personal growth.?

We still have a long way to go in terms of breaking down stigmas around mental health, but progress still has to be made. If you're an employer or leader, think of yourself as a parent, mentor, or support system for your employees. Acknowledging mental health issues is no longer a black mark on someone's record but a step towards getting help and building a healthier, happier life. Creating a culture of open communication, empathy, and understanding is not only good for employees but good for business.?

The views in the article are my own and do not necessarily reflect Contentful.