Mental Health in the Workplace and What a Manager Can Do to Help their team?

Mental health is an issue that affects everyone at some point in their lives. But in the workplace, it can have a seriously negative impact on employee productivity and morale. That is why it’s so important to take mental health issues seriously – not only from the standpoint of employee welfare but also from the standpoint of business performance. This blog looks at the issue from various perspectives, highlighting the importance of mental health in the workplace for employees and employers.

It also provides tips on creating an environment that supports mental health – whether that means understanding and accepting mental health issues as part of the workforce, providing emotional support, or encouraging open discussion about mental health. So, whether you are an employer looking to protect your workforce, an employee grappling with mental health issues, or want to know more about this topic, this blog is for you!

What is mental health?

Mental health refers to a person’s overall psychological well-being. It includes their emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health can affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can also affect how a person handles stress, relates to others, and makes decisions.

Good mental health is important for overall health and well-being. It can help a person to feel good about themselves, cope with life’s challenges, and make positive contributions to their community.

Mental health is an issue that is often left unspoken, but it’s something that affects everyone. Just like our physical health goes through ups and downs, our mental health can also take a toll. However, mental health problems go undetected and untreated, affecting the employee and the organization. Mental health in the workplace can significantly impact employee productivity, morale, and stress levels. That’s why it’s crucial to understand mental health and employee well-being and to support employees in having good mental health at work. 

How does employee mental health affect the workplace?

Mental health issues in the workplace can be pretty problematic. Employee mental health impacts productivity, safety, organizational safety and even the mental health of coworkers. Mental health issues should concern the higher authorities as these issues impact the whole organization. The costs of employee illness can be increased, ranging from lost wages to lawsuits. It’s, therefore, essential to deal with mental health issues as soon as possible. Supporting employees through their mental health challenges can help them continue working well and productively at the office.

Work-related risk factors for mental health

Mental health in the workplace affects the work environment, thus creating an unproductive space that leads to further issues in the workplace. Work can be a complex environment for some individuals, with many risk factors that can harm mental health. Since mental health in the workplace is a critical topic that can bring remarkable changes to an organization, it is essential to understand the risk factors that lead to mental health issues.

Read ahead to understand what risk factors might lead to mental health issues in your team. 

Work environment

The work environment factors that can negatively impact mental health in the workplace include long working hours, experiencing discrimination or harassment at work, lack of opportunity for growth, lack of constructive criticism from seniors and peers, etc. These factors directly impact how an individual feels about working and can have a massive impact on their mental health.

Poor communication and management practices

Poor communication and management practices can lead to many problems in the workplace. In particular, they can cause tension among employees, stress levels that reach dangerous heights, and even mental health issues. Every business needs to have a system in place that aids communication as well as manages conflicts effectively. This way, workers will not feel unsupported or silenced when something goes wrong – instead, they will be able to get their concerns addressed calmly and rationally. Additionally, creating an environment where mental health in the workplace is respected should go a long way towards fostering healthy work relationships. 

Inadequate health and safety policies 

Employees working in hazardous environments often experience a lot of stress and tension. Inadequate health and safety policies can leave them at risk physically and mentally, which is why it is so vital to have robust policies that cover mental health and physical injuries. Mental health issues tend to go untreated, leaving employees vulnerable not only to their work environment but also to their mental state. Such situations often lead to chronic stress that can seriously impact the employee’s life outside of work and their performance on the job.

Low levels of support for employees

Mental health in the workplace can be affected at any point in an employee’s career but are more likely to surface during the early stages. These issues happen when an individual feels most vulnerable and may not be able to cope with the demands of their job. Lack of support at work can lead to stress, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. It has been shown that employees who experience these problems tend to have shorter tenure rates than those who don’t have mental health concerns.

 Employers should take a proactive stance by ensuring adequate support for their employees, from counseling services to wellness programs.

Performance pressure

There is a growing awareness of the fact that performance pressure can have adverse effects on mental health in the workplace. This situation often arises from deadlines, target standards, and other work stress sources. These factors can be highly stressful and lead to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and addiction. If you feel overwhelmed or under intense pressure at work- or if you notice any changes in your mental health- it’s essential to speak up. An employer also needs to understand these issues to take appropriate action.

Job insecurity

Job insecurity can lead to anxiety and stress, which can further harm an individual’s mental health in the workplace. However, there are various ways you can support yourself and your team during this time. For starters, try to maintain control over the situation by working with people in your group who share similar goals and objectives and trust-based relationships. Secondly, work in and create an environment conducive to productivity – challenging but not too risky. And lastly, get assistance from colleagues or friends who care about you and want to help reduce job-related risk factors for mental health problems.

How to Spot mental health issues in the workplace?

It is essential to work together – to support your employees and colleagues and help them get the assistance they need. However, to help an individual with mental health issues, we need to be aware of certain signs and symptoms that show that a person or we ourselves might be in distress. 

The signs given below will help you in spotting mental health issues in yourself and those around you: – 

• Absenteeism.
• Tearfulness or emotional breakdowns.
• Changes in their work behavior.
• Unable to complete work on time. 
• Reduced communications with the team.
• Social withdrawal.
• Decrease in quality of work or productivity.
• Increased conflict with co-workers and management.
• Decline in physical health or appearance. 

Click here to know about saving your team from burnout.

What can managers do to create a space that is not hampering mental health?

As we know, Mental health is an issue that affects all of us in some or the other way. But in the workplace, it can be even more harmful. That’s because work-related mental health conditions can have a ripple effect and damage the rest of an employee’s life and the organization’s productivity as well. By being aware of these conditions and taking action when we notice them, we can help prevent them from worsening. Following are some ways managers can prevent their subordinates from having mental health issues in the workplace and provide the proper support to them. 

Create an enabling environment for change

Issues of mental health in the workplace is something that many people still don’t understand or discuss. It’s often mistaken for personal issues, and employees struggling with mental health issues feel like they can’t bring their problems to work. This is why it is so crucial for employers to create an enabling environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing any issues they’re experiencing. It means making sure that your team members feel comfortable bringing up mental health issues. There are many ways to do this – from creating a support system to promoting open communication. By doing this, not only will mental health be improved within the workplace, but employee productivity will also go up!

By creating an environment where people feel safe and comfortable discussing mental health, employers and managers help in promoting overall wellness in the office.

Formulate and provide active support systems

For mental health in the workplace, it’s essential to take measures to support their employees’ mental health and well-being. These include providing mental health resources and assistance, conducting workplace mental health surveys, and implementing mental health-related policies. These can help create a supportive and healthy environment for all employees. 

To help promote mental health in the workplace, employers can also provide policies and resources that provide access to crisis counselling and support groups. Be sure to provide resources and training on mental health issues so that the employees are sufficiently equipped to handle them independently. 

Work on mental health awareness.

Mental health issues can be challenging to deal with and often go undetected. This especially happens with employees who are struggling with mental health issues. This happens due to the lack of awareness that the general population has when it comes to mental health problems. Therefore, it is essential to educate employees about the concept of mental health & mental well-being by conducting talks, workshops and seminars that allow room for a healthy discussion on such topics. By creating an open-minded and supportive environment, businesses can help stamp out the stigma surrounding mental health problems and improve employee well-being.

Manage Stress in the Workplace

Mental health in the workplace is taboo, but it’s increasingly being discussed. It’s essential to help your employees manage stress in the workplace, as stress can negatively impact their mental and physical health. There are many ways one can do this, depending on their situation. Some self-care tips include exercise, meditation, and breathing exercises. Additionally, supporting one another is essential for a healthy work environment – don’t be afraid to talk about how you’re feeling and don’t shy away from listening to your colleague’s feelings. Talking to your supervisor or a coworker if you feel like you’re struggling with mental health in the workplace can also help so that you can work on finding a solution that works best for you.

By following and implementing the abovementioned things, organizations and employers can ensure that their employees have a healthy mind and body at work and can be productive and thrive in their roles. This would help in creating a positive work environment and enhance company’s culture.

Click here to know about the Secret to a winning organizational culture.

5 Mental health tips for managers

1. Practice self-care: Make time for activities that nourish your body and mind, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies.
2. Set boundaries: Set limits on the amount of time you spend working and try to disconnect from work when you are off duty.
3. Seek social support: Connect with coworkers, friends, and family members who can provide emotional support and encouragement.
4. Manage stress: Identify the sources of stress in your life and find ways to manage them, such as through relaxation techniques or time management strategies.
5. Seek professional help: If you are struggling with your mental health, consider speaking with a mental health professional. They can provide guidance and support to help you manage your mental health

Conclusion

Mental health in the workplace is an important issue that deserves our attention. Not only does mental health impact our physical health, but it also significantly impacts our work performance. By understanding why workplace mental health matters and the effects of mental health on the workplace, we can create a supportive environment that enables change. In addition, employers can take various steps to help manage stress and support mental health in their employees. Also, before taking care of your team’s mental health, it is essential for a manager to pay attention to their own well-being as well.