Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day 2020. With so many of us working from home, affected by job loss, isolated from friends and family and reeling from the challenges and restrictions thrown at us by the pandemic, the very topical theme ‘mental health for all’ couldn’t be more pertinent.
Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of employees is at the forefront of many organisations’ agendas – as well as being the right thing to do, it also has a fundamental effect on workplace performance. It’s well known that when you are physically fit, you tend to be healthier, happier and more productive. It's the same with mental health – helping your employees to build resilience to stress, access appropriate support and prioritise self-care can improve productivity, decision-making, and relationships at work. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that poor mental health was the most common cause of long-term sickness absence in the workplace, while a Mind survey found that one in ten employees rated their current mental health as poor or very poor. With current working practices, social distancing, financial concerns and very real worries about the health and safety of ourselves and loved ones, these statistics are likely to be markedly higher today.
Although many employers have started to take action to support mental health in the workplace, across other organisations, the subject remains ‘taboo’.
BRINGING OUR ‘WHOLE SELVES’ TO WORK
In many organisations, a stigma exists around mental health - people are scared to confront the issue with their managers or colleagues because they feel that it could affect their job, their relationships and their future prospects. With at least one in six workers experiencing mental health problems, including anxiety and depression (source: Mind) this means that a significant number of your workforce are holding back a big part of what makes them human.
Mike Robbins, Author of ‘Bring your whole self to work,’ says ‘When we don’t bring our whole selves to work we suffer – lack of engagement, lack of productivity, and our wellbeing is diminished. We aren’t able to do our best, most innovative work, and we spend and waste too much time trying to look good, fit in, and do or say the “right” thing. For teams and organisations, this lack of psychological safety makes it difficult for the group or company to thrive and perform at their highest level because people are holding back some of who they really are’.
WHAT CAN MANAGERS DO?
Understandably, without relevant training, managers shy away from the subject of mental health. Fear of ‘saying the wrong thing’ or making matters worse can result in a culture of silence. Providing managers with practical skills that can be used in the workplace everyday – including being able to spot signs and symptoms, and feeling confident to guide people towards appropriate support - can prevent mental health issues spiralling into a crisis.
Offering training to managers can be a simple yet effective way of increasing confidence and knowledge when talking about mental health. Our 3.5 hour ‘Mental Health Awareness’ Virtual Learning Room is cost-effective and will ensure managers are able to:
- have difficult conversations, build confidence and improving their core behaviour and knowledge around mental health
- spot the early signs, symptoms and behaviours of mental health
- have a greater awareness of the stigma attached to mental health
- understand the importance for self-care and managing stressors in and out of the workplace
- understand the role of the mental health first aider and steps to accreditation
Find out more here
Get in touch to book your virtual learning room - call us on 01604 744101