As a leader in the workplace, it’s more important than ever to ensure your team members feel supported from a mental health standpoint. In a fast-paced work environment, it can be easy to overlook someone’s mental state—especially since it’s not something you can physically see. However, emotional well-being in the workplace is important. Continue reading to learn about the ways to support your team’s mental health at work.
Model Healthy Behaviors
As a leader, you must model healthy behaviors when it comes to mental health. It’s not enough to say you support mental health. You also need to practice positive mental health techniques so that your team members know they can also prioritize self-care.
Tell your team you’re taking a few minutes in the middle of the day to play with your dog or take a short walk. Communicate when you’re leaving early to attend a therapy appointment or when you’re planning a mental health day. Your focus on transparency and self-care will prevent personal burnout and encourage your team members to do the same.
Prioritize Consistent Check-Ins
Another way to support your team’s mental health at work is through frequent check-ins. Although consistent, clear communication has always been important in the workplace, with so many employees now working remotely, it has become critical. When you’re not seeing your team in the office every day, it can be harder to notice the signs that someone’s struggling.
Schedule time to meet with each team member to ask how they’re doing and how you can provide support. Be sure to practice active listening and encourage questions and concerns. If your colleagues seem like they don’t want to talk further, resist the urge to probe and leave the conversation as is.
When someone shares that they’re struggling, it’s OK not to offer the perfect response or solution right away. Knowing a few tips for improving your candor in the workplace can help you continue to build trust and compassion within your team.
Promote Open Communication
To create a safe, inclusive workplace full of satisfied employees, you should communicate as much as possible. As a leader, it’s your job to keep your team informed about any updates within the organization. You should also set realistic expectations when it comes to workloads to avoid unnecessary stress. If a team member is having trouble hitting their benchmarks, work with them to prioritize the most critical tasks.
You should also consistently remind your team of available mental health resources. Some employees may feel embarrassed to use their mental health benefits, so help to normalize the use of these services. If you feel comfortable, you can even share how you’ve personally benefited from your company’s mental health offerings in the past.
