Mental Health Awareness At Work

We all have mental health. When our mental health is good, we have the energy to do the things we enjoy, and we have a sense of purpose in our day-to-day lives. If our mental health is poor and we feel like we are struggling, this can have an impact on all aspects of our lives.

For most of us, work is a huge part of our day-to-day lives. Not only is it where we get our income, but it is often where we spend most of our time and where we form new relationships. As work takes up such a large part of our day-to-day life, it is crucial work is good for and supports our mental health and wellbeing.

Why is mental health awareness important in the workplace?

Sometimes, life gets on top of us. Whether it’s work-related, stress at home, our health, or countless other circumstances, we’ve all felt overwhelmed at one point or another. If these concerns are not addressed, they can have a major impact not only on the individuals, their families, and their workplace but also on the economy. This wide-reaching impact is why mental health should never be taken for granted and should always be prioritised in the workplace and at home.

What are some common signs of mental health issues?

A lot of people will struggle with their mental health at some time in their life. There are a variety of signs that you can look out for whilst at work that may indicate a colleague or friend is struggling with their mental health.

For many people, it is often a combination of signs as opposed to a single noticeable change.

– Feeling anxious

We all feel stressed or anxious from time to time, and this can be completely normal. However, anxiety can be a sign of a mental health concern if it is constant and interferes all the time. In addition to feeling anxious, someone suffering with anxiety might experience headaches, restlessness, trembling and heart palpitations, to name just a few.

– Emotional outbursts

Our moods can change quickly depending on our circumstances and surroundings, however, dramatic and sudden changes in a person’s mood could indicate a mental illness.

– Changes to appetite or weight

When struggling with their mental health, some individuals might find that they experience sudden weight loss or gain. This could be a warning sign of a disorder like depression, or could be an eating disorder.

– Withdrawing

Some people may appear to withdraw into themselves if they are struggling with their mental health. If someone you know has started isolating themselves and refusing to join in activities that they would usually enjoy, this could be a sign that they need help.

What can employers and employees do to create a more mentally healthy workplace?

There are a variety of steps that both employers and employees can take to encourage and support good mental health in the workplace.

Discuss mental health openly

First and foremost, both employees and employers should not be scared to discuss topics like stress, depression, or anxiety at work.

Educate managers or other key staff members on how to identify the signs of a mental health disorder and train them on how to respond effectively. The simple act of a caring conversation between employee and manager could be the tipping point in an individual getting help.

Encourage a good work/life balance

Once upon a time, companies regularly praised employees who worked late or started early, believing that it showed commitment to the company. However, today we know that this can hurt the company in the long term.

Employees who regularly work late into the evening or early in the morning will end up burned out, and their productivity will decline.

Instead, companies should encourage their employees to take holidays where they completely unplug from their work. Employers should also not expect their employees to answer their emails in the evenings or on the weekends.

People who have a healthy, rich life outside of work will not only be happier in themselves, but will make better employees too.

Prioritise wellbeing

Employers should prioritise helping their employees to develop good habits. This could be in the form of offering incentives or discounts for gym memberships, encouraging a cycle-to-work scheme, offering free fruit, and a range of others besides.

Offer training and support

A crucial part of any mental health awareness plan needs to be training. As an example, Norris trained two Mental Health First Aiders with MHFA England to ensure that their employees always have access to help if they need it.

This included a two-day training course that covered topics such as battling the stigma surrounding mental health issues, how to identify signs of mental illness and how to assist individuals who are struggling.

How can employees and employers take care of their own mental health?

To look out for your colleagues or staff members, you must first take care of your own mental health. There are simple changes that you can make to put your mental health first.

Talk openly about your feelings

Talking about how you feel is the first step to dealing with anything that is troubling you and encouraging you to stay in a positive mental space.

Stay active

Regular exercise can help you sleep, feel better and even boost your self-esteem, and that is all in addition to keeping your brain and organs healthy.

Drink sensibly

We often resort to alcohol when we are feeling down or low. Whilst the alcohol might help you feel better for a couple of hours, the feeling will not last, and you will feel worse once the alcohol wears off.

Take breaks

Taking breaks regularly and when you need them is a crucial step to taking care of your mental health. It could be as simple as a five-minute break from a large task, making sure you take a proper lunch break or taking a weekend away for a change of scenery.

As you can see, there are a variety of steps that can be taken to look after your mental health and to help identify warning signs that people around you are struggling. In the workplace, good people management and good mental health often go hand-in-hand, and by addressing wellbeing in the workplace, employers can see an increase in productivity too.