
World Mental Health Day is a global event that’s recognized every year in October. A good way to address global mental health problems is to acknowledge this important day and show support for one another.
If you’d like to educate your employees and create a safe working environment for team members who may be struggling with mental health issues, here are some ideas:
Make Mental Health Issues a Topic Employees Aren’t Afraid to Talk About
It’s important to acknowledge that mental illness is a common reality in the workplace. Check-in with team members and make sure they know that they’re not alone.
Employees are often unwilling to talk about mental health issues because they are worried about how they’ll be perceived. Don’t let it be an issue, instead, look at it as a sign of an employee’s strength that they’re admitting they need help.
Mental health issues and struggles are not always apparent which is why it’s important to create an open environment in which people feel comfortable talking about their wellbeing. Open lines of communication make difficult conversations easier.
Make Resources Available
When you offer helpful resources it sends a message that the company cares about its workers and wants them to be happy, healthy, and productive.
Host a Mental Health Event
Host an event that focuses on mental health and it’ll create a culture where people feel safe discussing their struggles and how best to manage them. Your employees will feel more supported and cared for.
Encourage Daily Mental Health Breaks
Taking mental health breaks is good for mental health and job quality. But you might need to be seen to be encouraging staff to schedule breaks on their calendars.
It’s also a good idea to provide suggestions on what they can do during these breaks. For example, they might want to take a walk, meditate, spend time with friends, watch a comfort show, or treat themselves to a hair spa day.
Offer a Paid Mental Health Day
A great way to honor World Mental Health Day is to provide staff with a day for themselves. Support your employees with a paid day off, even if it’s not possible to make it a permanent holiday.
Employers must take a proactive approach when it comes to dealing with mental health issues. Before you try any of the suggestions above, you must focus on enhancing your relationships with your workers.