Show Your Support for Your Team's Well-Being. Tips for Mental Health Awareness Month and Beyond.

Let's start with 2 important statistics:

• One out of 5 of your employees or team members is affected by a mental health condition
• People spend 1/3 of their lives working!

Do these facts highlight the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace?

If so, now is a great time to really concentrate on paying this issue some attention because May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During this month organizations like the NAMI work extra hard to bring awareness about mental health in hopes of fighting stigma by educating the public.

There are a lot of things that you can do for your team this month to show your support.

Here are a few examples:

1) Take the pledge. Click here to Pledge to Be Stigma Free. You can pledge on behalf of your organization or just as an individual. Then let it be known! This alone will send a message of your commitment to be there for those affected in your organization. There are a lot of great resources here too!

2) If your company offers an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) remind everyone. Distribute fliers and remind them of the benefits offered through this program and that it is confidential. If you do not currently offer this program sign up for one then let your team know that you got their back.

3) Use your company's social media accounts to show support for those with or affected by a mental illness. Doing so will help your employees feel valued and understood and reinforce your commitment to reducing stigma and providing support. This public display can contribute to a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture.

Need ideas on things to post? Reach out to us at [email protected] and we will gladly share resources for content on this important topic.

4) Encourage collaboration by rewarding employees who participate in a Random Acts of Kindness Day, or who take a pledge like the one above.

5) There is no better way to reduce a stigma than by talking and sharing. Consider having a trusted leader host a town hall meeting, in person or virtually if you are a spaced-out team, where people can express their vulnerabilities or any issues they may feel lighter after revealing. Some may just want to listen.

6) Produce a questionnaire that can be replied to anonymously simply asking these questions: Do you feel safe here? If you were struggling with something emotionally do you feel like there is someone in this organization you can contact?

By taking simple steps like those above companies can show their commitment to supporting their employees' mental health. It is crucial to create a safe and supportive work environment where employees feel comfortable seeking help when needed.

Contact our HR team at Red Cedar Advisory Services if you need assistance facilitating any of these initiatives, if you have any additional ideas or even any stories to share! [email protected]