How to Build a Mentally Healthy Working Culture

How to Build a Mentally Healthy Working Culture

Vartika Kashyap 12/08/2018 7

“Do not be late for office."

"This report is full of errors."

“You are taking too long breaks."

"You are being disrespectful by being late for meetings."

“You are too slow in completing the tasks.”

These kind of harsh sayings are surely a part of life for every worker in an organization and such factors prevailing continuously can have a negative effect on their health and well-being.

Play your role well as a business leader. 

There are many things happening around in an office that workers have to deal with leading to mental health problems like depression, anxiety or stress. Such problems can inhibit the performance of employees.

Mental health issues are a major cause of long-term absence from work. An employer needs to be always concerned about mental health of their employees and consult them individually about their concerns. They must promote good mental health practices and a mentally healthy workplace for employees who are struggling in this aspect.

But what is a mentally healthy workplace?

A mentally healthy workplace brings positivity at work and try to get the best out of their employees. Different workplaces come in different shapes and sizes, but a healthy workplace generally has these few things in common.

Positive workplace culture: People would feel excited and feel good about coming to work in a positive workplace culture, where everyone would be encouraged and supported.

A managed stress and other risks to mental health: Factors like stress, heavy workloads, poor communication, uncertainty and other factors can all contribute to anxiety and depression, and it needs to be kept under check by leaders.

Zero-tolerance approach to discrimination: The employees should be protected from discrimination encouraging a diverse workforce and ensuring that everyone gets a fair go.

Those who work in healthy workplace reflect increased productivity and general development. And, we all know that happy employees tend to be more committed to the organization and have a sense of purpose towards the company. While those in an unhealthy work environment are usually seen undergoing health care appointments and office stress also impacts their family life, mental health, and increased illness.

In a national survey, reports were collected to see how mental health is experienced at work. The survey results show that better mental health at work should be considered more.

77% of employees exhibit symptoms of poor mental health.

29% of employees have been diagnosed with a mental health condition.

62% of employees claimed that the reason for their poor mental health is work.

35% of employees were experiencing poor mental health but did not approach anyone for support.

How can you as a manager help?

Thus, the importance of supporting mental health at work is gaining recognition for improved workplace culture. Here are some initial steps that a business owner may want to consider when trying to deal with mental health challenges in office:

Extra support

A manager is intended to provide increased support to its employees. Some people need support from manager to ensure they have to work in sensible hours. Other areas of support are:

  • Extra training, coaching or mentoring
  • Extra help with managing workload
  • More positive feedback
  • Mediation in case of difficulties between colleagues
  • Mental health support group
  • Self-referral to internal support available
  • Provision of sharing approaches to support others
  • Motivate people to build their resilience and doing things that support good mental health

Address Values and Conduct

A progressive employer is usually intended to look for warning signs of someone who is going through some mental trouble. What is the code of conduct of your employees when some weird situation arises? Does your office has some policy on respect in the workplace?

It is not compulsory to have some fancy values and conduct, just the ones that employees know what's acceptable. There should be something that is acceptable and is no surprise for a person who has issues related to mental health.

Make Resolving the Issue a Partnership

When an employee fails to perform up to the expected level there is a process of analysis like training or coaching. The employer needs to know if there is something serious that they need to refer them to a counselor. Try to have a conversation with your employee in a way to find a solution for their problem. The manager should always try to find resources and the right support.

Keep a check on those employees who are showing noticeable changes in their work. Remember everyone’s experience of a mental health problem is different and there may be only certain clues like a change in how they interact with colleagues and changes in their work output, changing in eating habits or appearing tired and losing interest in their favorite activities.

If your team is healthy, focused and motivated you will be good in your business, so support mental health problems at work and help employees to give their peak performance.

Author Bio:

Vartika Kashyap is the Marketing Manager at ProofHub and has been one of the LinkedIn Top Voices in 2017. Her articles are inspired by office situations and work-related events. She likes to write about productivity, team building, work culture, leadership, entrepreneurship among others and contributing to a better workplace is what makes her click.

Share this article

Leave your comments

Post comment as a guest

0
terms and condition.
  • Haylie Carney

    Amazing thoughts!

  • Robert Logan

    I feel that I can go in now and make a difference. Thank you so much!!

  • Tyler McGuigan

    Fantastic post, thanks for the tips.

  • Luke Frost

    Insightful read

  • Nick Bamford

    Ensure an open flow of ideas, focus on improving, create a competitive environment so people push each other, hire the right individuals, incentivise, celebrate birthdays, understand your people, create a change in routine, appreciate those who work hard and have high standards.

  • Sports Uncle

    Sports are very important to make your mind healthy and active.

  • Sports Uncle

    I really like the post and the style of writing the content.

Share this article

Vartika Kashyap

Digital Expert

Vartika is the Chief Marketing Officer at ProofHub. She has 6 Years experience in online digital marketing, brand optimization and SEO along with social media marketing and email marketing strategies. Vartika holds an MBA in Finance (Banking) & Marketing from the IBS Hyderabad.  

   
Save
Cookies user prefences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Read more
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline