Creating Safe Spaces: How Workplaces Can Support Mental Health Conversations

Author:

Hayley Snelling

B.S. Psychology

Editor:

Emma Loker

B.S

Would you feel comfortable talking about your mental health at work? If the answer is ‘no’, then you’re not alone. Many people keep their struggles to themselves, worried their colleagues or bosses will judge them.

But with mental health affecting one in four people every year, creating a mental health-friendly workplace has never been more important.¹ It’s not only good for the employees themselves – it also boosts productivity, job satisfaction, and overall morale.²

So, how can employers make this happen? On this page, we’ll explore how to create a mental health-friendly workplace with some simple, helpful changes. We’ll cover ways of promoting well-being through workplace policies, from flexible work arrangements to mental health training. Plus, some practical tips on how to support colleagues who may be struggling, so that every employee can feel heard, valued, and supported.

Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or colleague, you’ll find ideas to create a more open and understanding environment to work in.

How Can Workplaces Support Mental Health?

Did you know that over 17 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, anxiety, or depression in 2022/2023?³ Work clearly has a big impact on our mental health, which is why it’s so important to feel supported by our employers.

There are many ways to create mental health safe spaces at work, and small changes to how employees are treated can make a big difference. Having a good mental health culture in the workplace, breaking stigma, and having open conversations around mental health all play a part. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

1. Building a Mental Health Culture in the Workplace

We often spend a large part of our day working, and with so many people’s mental health being impacted by work, it’s important to make sure we’re in a supportive environment while there.

The behavior of leadership and management, policies, common practices, and expectations, all reflect the values of the organization, and can either create a work environment that is supportive or unsupportive of mental health.

Creating a workplace culture that values mental health doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does need to be built into the organization as a whole and upheld. If you are a manager, you have a major role in this. You can:

Ensure that you are familiar with the mental health policies of your employer so that you can effectively support staff who ask for your advice.
Ask your team what factors are affecting their well-being at work, and come up with plans to improve issues. This might include practical things such as making arrangements for flexible working so that an employee can take time out for an appointment if they need to.
Be available for regular catch-ups with employees to show you are there for them and build trust so that when they do have an issue, they feel comfortable enough to approach you about it.⁴

2. Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health at Work

Over a third of employees have experienced discrimination or stigma at work due to their mental health, and nearly half feel uncomfortable discussing their concerns with their manager in case they are treated negatively.⁵

Some people think that mental health issues are signs of weakness, or that a person is ‘crazy’. These misconceptions can lead to discrimination and isolation for those with mental health conditions, and they may be less likely to seek help for fear of being labeled or judged by others. This stigma can also erode a person’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and the whole thing can become a vicious cycle. This is why it’s so important to challenge the stigma around mental health conditions.

But how do you break the stigma in the workplace? Here are three strategies that you can use to help fight the stigma and make your workplace more inclusive:⁶

See the person, not an illness: If you manage an employee, remember that no two people are the same. What worked well for one person with a mental health condition may not work for another person. We all have different needs. Talk with the person and find out what they can benefit from.
Tackle stigma in the moment: Stand up against stigma and discrimination consistently. Lead by example and commit to an inclusive mental health policy. Nip discrimination in the bud when you see or hear it happening.
Invest in mental health awareness training: Stigma can come from a lack of understanding, so training can help to raise awareness of mental health and tackle misconceptions. Be proactive and help prevent discrimination before it begins.

3. Having Open Conversations About Mental Health at Work

Starting conversations about mental health is a key way to begin building a mental health-friendly workplace, with nearly half of employees believing that open dialogue about mental health at work would significantly improve their well-being.^5,7

Managers and CEOs can lead by example and speak publicly about their experiences with mental health, but it doesn’t stop there. When thinking about how to normalize mental health conversations in offices and workplaces, you need to be actively interested and get involved.

Speak regularly with your team members to see how they are doing and to find out if anything at work is causing them stress. You could talk to them on a one-to-one basis, or if you have team meetings you could add it as a regular agenda item, encouraging employees to discuss mental health in a way that their concerns and opinions are truly heard and can be looked at. This can help to normalize conversations about mental health at work.⁸

Implementing Effective Workplace Mental Health Strategies

We’ve looked at the importance of talking about mental health, but what about applying practical strategies? When employees were questioned, over half said they feel more productive and engaged when their organizations offer mental health resources like counseling or wellness programs.⁵ This highlights the importance of having well-being support in the workplace.

Let’s check out how you can best utilize workplace resources for mental health support.

How HR Can Promote Mental Health Awareness

HR can play a vital role in promoting mental health awareness. HR team members are involved with developing mental health strategies and detailing how organizations support employee mental health and well-being. This support could include resources such as employee assistance programs (EAPs) to support employees and boost work morale.

Courses can be effective in improving awareness of mental health. For example, stress management training can help to identify sources of stress, leading to positive change in employee well-being. Mental health awareness campaigns can be utilized to reduce stigma and discrimination and open up conversations about mental health.⁹

Training Managers on Mental Health Conversations

Managers can attend courses to help them in their role, and mental health training is also on the table. Companies that give leadership training for mental health awareness have seen a 30% reduction in mental health-related absences from work.⁵ This means that the impact is real – having a boss who has training and understands mental health can really help you feel better at work.

So what type of training is available?

Mental Health Awareness Training: This training can empower you as a manager to develop a work environment that is supportive of mental health. It provides you with the skills needed to recognize the signs of mental health problems, support individuals, and lead a resilient team.¹⁰
Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace: Training is available on mental health first aid which teaches you how to recognize and support people who may be experiencing poor mental health. You’ll learn about active listening, empathy, and how to have conversations about mental health using the correct language and avoiding stigma.¹¹

Employer Strategies for Mental Health Inclusivity

All employees should feel valued, supported, and empowered at work, regardless of their mental health conditions. Employers can work toward this by creating mental health initiatives for the office. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Provide Training: Give managers and employees the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to mental health issues.¹²
Resources and Support: Ensure that your employees have access to a professional to talk to about their mental well-being.⁹
Flexible Work Arrangements: Remote work, flexible hours, or compressed work weeks can help accommodate individual needs. Work schedules can have a big impact on an employee’s well-being.¹³
Promote Open Communication: Create a safe space for employees to talk about their concerns and experiences. Talking about your feelings can help your mental health.⁵
Zero Tolerance for Discrimination: Challenge stigma and discrimination, with consequences for those who continue to fall short of the expected behaviors.⁶
Inclusive Policies: Make a commitment to mental health and give clear guidance to employees who are seeking support.¹⁴
Leadership Support: Support your managers and leaders so that they can support their teams.

Tips for Supporting Colleagues With Mental Health Issues

Are you wondering how you can support your colleagues and feel confident that you are helping them? We’ve got three tips to share with you:

1. Create a Supportive Environment

Your workplace can have a big impact on mental health, and what you say and do matters. There are some practical things you can do to create a supportive atmosphere in your office.

Communicate honestly and openly with people, and encourage them to take breaks and to keep a healthy work/life balance.⁸ Encourage them to make use of their rightful reasonable adjustments to their work schedule. For example, giving some leniency on deadlines or extra support to help them finish tasks.¹⁵

2. Communicate Effectively

Let’s just say it: talking helps. Let your colleagues know you are there to listen, and when you have a conversation with them, ask open-ended questions in a private quiet place so that they can talk freely without feeling judged.⁵

You’re not there to fix them or give them the solutions to their challenges, but as the saying goes, “A problem shared is a problem halved.” You can help your colleagues just by listening to them.

3. Encourage Professional Support

Sometimes, listening isn’t enough – it can be useful to recommend professionals. If you know how to access mental health support through your organization, now is the time to share that information.⁹ You could also let your colleague know about any local support available, and reassure them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not of weakness.

If they decide not to follow up with professional support, remember not to judge them. Respect their decision, because you never know what a person is dealing with.

For more information on mental health services, get in touch at 866-954-6574.

Get Support With Workplace Mental Health

Prioritizing mental health is essential, both personally and professionally. At Mission Connection, we’re committed to providing you with the support you need to thrive – not just survive.

We understand that mental health challenges can impact every part of your life, including work. That’s why we offer compassionate, individualized care – because no two people are the same. Whether you are looking for short-term support during a crisis, structured outpatient treatment, or ongoing therapy, we have options available to fit your schedule and responsibilities.

Your well-being is our priority, and we believe that mental health care should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we provide flexible payment options – to ensure that cost won’t be a barrier to getting the support you need.

Take the first step toward a healthier work-life balance today. Contact our team of friendly experts to find out how we can help you to thrive both in and out of work.

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