It might occasionally seem frightening to tell people about our mental health issues because most of us are afraid of how other people or people close to us would respond, and as a result, we are most reluctant to speak up.
Being honest regarding our mental well-being is truly beneficial, even if it might feel awkward at first. By being transparent with others, we can assist people in comprehending us in a better way and provide us with the assistance we require.
Discussions about mental health issues at work are no different. As an employee lots of people all over the world spend a significant amount of time at work. When we like our jobs, we feel fulfilled and have a purpose. However, our performance at work may suffer if we experience loneliness or burnout at work. In reality, burnout and work discontent are frequent reasons why individuals leave their employment. Nevertheless, by addressing mental health issues, we can encourage having a healthy workplace.
In this article, we'll talk about how you can directly address mental health issues with your employer and what are the benefits of talking to your employer about mental health.
Why is it Critical to Discuss Healthy Workplace?
In the United States, nearly 83% of people indicated they were stressed out about something at work. Four out of five workers said that occupational stress was harming their relationships, both at the office and at home, in a report published in the year 2022 in the USA.
According to the same study, just 38% of employees felt comfortable accessing the mental health services offered by their employer, and two out of every three employees are uncomfortable giving feedback to their supervisors. As a result, these employees often feel or experience burnout. Burnout may also result from your inability or unwillingness to learn how to discuss mental health at your workplace.
In India, the workplace is full of stress for various reasons- long working hours, hectic tasks, low pay scale and unhealthy work environment. As a matter of fact, about 95% of Indians aged between 18-34 are under stress. To make things worse, about 75% of people are not comfortable seeking medical help for the same.
Mental Health Problems In The Workplace & How To Deal With Them
Mental health problems in the workplace are a significant issue affecting employees and employers alike. Here are some key points regarding this topic:
- Prevalence: Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, are common in the workplace. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion per year in lost productivity.
- Impact on Individuals: Mental health issues can significantly impact an individual's ability to perform at work. Symptoms such as lack of concentration, fatigue, and irritability can affect job performance and relationships with colleagues.
- Impact on Organizations: Employers also bear the burden of mental health issues among their workforce. This includes decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, higher turnover rates, and increased healthcare costs.
- Stigma: Despite growing awareness, there is still a stigma surrounding mental health in many workplaces. This stigma can prevent employees from seeking help and disclosing their struggles to their employers, leading to untreated conditions and further negative consequences.
- Employer Responsibilities: Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations that require employers to provide a safe and healthy work environment, which includes addressing mental health issues. Employers must take reasonable steps to support employees' mental well-being.
- Supportive Strategies: Employers can implement various strategies to support employees' mental health, such as providing access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), offering mental health training for managers, promoting work-life balance, and creating a culture of openness and support.
- Awareness and Education: Increasing awareness and educating both employees and employers about mental health issues is crucial. This includes destigmatizing mental illness, providing resources for support and treatment, and fostering a culture of understanding and empathy.
How Do You Handle Mental Health in the Workplace?
It is entirely up to you whether or not to discuss your mental health at work with your employer, manager or any other authoritative figure. When it comes to discussing mental health at work, there is a spectrum that you need to follow and simultaneously be aware of. Here are some ways you can handle your mental health at work:
- Awareness and Education: Learn about mental health issues, including common symptoms and how they can affect work performance. Many workplaces offer resources or training on mental health awareness.
- Open Communication: If you're struggling with mental health issues, consider discussing them with your manager or HR department. Be open about your needs and any accommodations that may help you perform your job effectively.
- Work-Life Balance: Strive to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. Set boundaries to prevent burnout and prioritize self-care activities.
- Access Support Services: Many workplaces offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that provide counseling services or referrals to mental health professionals. Take advantage of these resources if needed.
- Normalize Mental Health Discussions: Encourage open discussions about mental health in the workplace to reduce stigma and promote a supportive environment for all employees.
- Flexible Work Arrangements: Depending on your job and company policies, consider requesting flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or adjusted hours, to accommodate your mental health needs.
- Seek Professional Help: If your mental health issues are significantly impacting your ability to work, consider seeking support from a mental health professional. Therapy, medication, or other treatments may be beneficial.
- Self-Care: Practice self-care techniques to manage stress and maintain your overall well-being. This could include regular exercise, mindfulness or meditation, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.
For instance, you don't need to disclose to your supervisor the specifics of your emotional state or any mental health issues you may have. You can freely decide how much information you wish to share at your workplace. In other cases, you can certainly request a day off to address your concerns pertaining to your mental health.
You can also think about utilising your pending sick leaves and vacations if you don't feel confident about opening up regarding your mental health or feel uncomfortable doing so.
Discuss Healthy Workplace with Your Superiors
Many of us are uncomfortable discussing the condition of our mental health with our supervisors or managers, despite the fact that more and more people are becoming aware of mental health issues, and therefore many companies are becoming more accepting in this regard.
In the beginning, it can be difficult to discuss uncomfortable emotions, and many of us view our mental health as a personal concern. It can be awkward enough to speak to an individual in a role of authority. We can also believe that disclosing a sensitive aspect of oneself makes us appear frail or exposed. Some employers can still be operating under antiquated paradigms and oppose taking mental health into consideration.
You are not alone if you are afraid or confused about how to approach your supervisor about your mental health. However, initiating the discussion on mental health issues is actually a display of strength rather than weakness, and at the same time, it brings about a healthy workplace.
What if the relationship between you and your boss is not quite good?
If your mental health suffers because of a work-related problem, such as a tense working relationship with your employer, then it could be challenging for you to communicate with your superiors. If possible, you can also speak with a coworker or colleague, preferably a senior person who gets along well with your employer or manager.
If the relationship between you and your boss isn't quite good, it's essential to take steps to improve it, as a positive working relationship with your supervisor is crucial for your professional success and well-being. Here are some steps you can consider:
- Reflect on the Situation: Try to understand why the relationship isn't good. Is it due to miscommunication, differing expectations, personality clashes, or something else?
- Communication: Open and honest communication is key. Schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss any issues professionally and respectfully. Express your concerns and listen to their perspective as well. Focus on finding common ground and solutions.
- Seek Feedback: Ask for constructive feedback on your performance and how you can improve your working relationship. Be receptive to criticism and show willingness to make necessary changes.
- Clarify Expectations: Ensure that you have a clear understanding of your boss's expectations regarding your role, responsibilities, goals, and deadlines. Clarify any ambiguities to avoid future misunderstandings.
- Build Trust: Work on building trust by delivering quality work, being reliable, and following through on your commitments. Trust is the foundation of any good relationship, including the one with your boss.
- Maintain Professionalism: Regardless of any personal differences, always maintain a professional demeanor in your interactions with your boss. Avoid gossiping or complaining to colleagues about your boss, as this can exacerbate the situation.
- Focus on Solutions: Instead of dwelling on problems, focus on finding solutions. Propose actionable steps that can help improve the relationship and enhance collaboration.
- Seek Mediation if Necessary: If despite your efforts, the relationship remains strained, consider seeking mediation from HR or a neutral third party to facilitate constructive dialogue and resolution.
3 Effective Ways You Can Talk About Mental Health Issues at Your Workplace
It's normal to feel susceptible when speaking with a potential employer about your mental health. However, having a conscientious conversation about your mental health may be advantageous for both you and your company.
Know your boss’s preferences while having the discussion
Some managers are concerned with figures or numbers, some may focus on workplace morale, and others may emphasise employees' sentiments. Although, as an employee, you don't need to change yourself for them, you should talk in a way that makes everything easy and comprehensible for both yourself and your employer.
If your company is interested in figures, for instance, you can bring up how your current psychological condition is affecting your project completion rate, success rate, etc.
Prepare Yourself Emotionally
When contemplating speaking with your supervisor, it is perfectly normal to feel anxious or apprehensive. This might cause erroneous ideas or sentiments regarding the encounter. You should adopt the position of an impartial observer in this situation and ask yourself the following questions:
- Has your boss been an empathetic leader in the workplace?
- What were the previous responses of your boss when you had similar discussions with them?
- Did your boss ever have any discussion about burnout?
In most cases, your manager or employer will definitely appreciate you talking to them about these burnout symptoms. Unattended burnout can result in attrition, which your manager or employer would want to prevent.
Provide a Possible List of Solutions
You can communicate constructively by being ready with some effective strategies that could help you on the job and enhance your mental health simultaneously. Make a list of viable ways to lessen your workload before approaching your manager with the idea. This will also demonstrate your ability to provide solutions while facing any difficulties.
Be Aware of Your rights as an Employee
Some businesses provide mental health services, such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which entitles you to a set number of complimentary sessions of mental health therapy. Additionally, since mental illness is predicted to cost companies all over the world $225.8 billion annually, it is in your employer's best interest for them to listen to you and assist you.
However, it is crucial to understand that persistent mental health issues, such as depression, panic attacks, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc., cannot simply be healed by taking the occasional day off. It needs constant assistance, despite the positives and negatives. Nevertheless, your employer or manager won't be able to offer you the help or accommodations you require if they are unaware of what you are going through.
Benefits of Talking to Your Employer about Mental Health
We miss a great chance for healing and fostering a sense of community when we refuse to discuss mental health issues. In their lives, 80% of individuals have the chance to get diagnosed with a mental health illness. Therefore, everyone should be concerned about mental health. Discussing health issues at work can help you if you've ever experienced stress—and it can help your coworkers, as well.
62% of workers want corporate leaders to discuss mental health. This enables workers to understand that their employers are prepared to support them in these unpleasant situations and reassures them that they aren't alone. Here are three benefits of discussing mental health at work.
Helps in Fighting Stigma Related to Mental Health Issues
The atmosphere that our society has created makes it uneasy to discuss our challenges, especially emotional or psychological ones. People are less inclined to speak up when their productivity, efficiency, performance, and stable emotions are emphasised because they are afraid of being looked down upon by their employers and colleagues or possibly losing their employment.
Due to the stigma, many individuals try to hide their struggles. However, by discussing mental health issues, both employers and employees can create a healthy workplace where everyone can feel comfortable and at ease.
Provides Support in Creating a Healthy Workplace
Stress is possibly one of the easiest mental health issues to tackle first. Everyone can associate themselves with the concept of stress, and talking about it is no longer considered taboo.
There is a snowball effect when workplace mental health is neglected. Employee performance and engagement suffer as a result of this. Burnout occurs among employees, top talent departs, and the business struggles or even collapses.
Our mental health is linked to the aspects of well-being, including psychological, professional, cognitive, sensory, and more. Everyone wins when employers start to value and accept the workers. Employees will be cheerful at home if they felt more at ease and supported at work.
Gives Support to the Company Employees
The stigma associated with mental illness prevents the majority of individuals from seeking help for their problems. Only 50% of workers will request mental health assistance because the rest of them are afraid of opening up.
At least 1 in 3 persons during the pandemic had a mental illness, and the effects on mental health are still being felt today. Employers are aware that they have the chance to contribute to the solution because this is unacceptable. 75% of those who seek counselling report feeling better. No matter what type of challenges you are facing, be it big or small, therapy can help you, and that is why the Employee Assistance Programme is extremely important to produce an effective and healthy workplace.
If you are suffering from any kind of mental illness, then you just need to share all your thoughts (that you are comfortable sharing), as with anything else. Discussing your mental health at your workplace can help you and provide your colleagues and superiors with a way to support you. In the long term, it might enhance your attitude about your job and give you the confidence to ask for assistance when necessary.
If you are looking for a trainer who can offer your employees a productive session on mental health, then you should check out Superprof. It is an online platform where you can access teachers and trainers who are willing to offer you both online and offline sessions.
If you are a manager or a business owner, you can motivate your staff to take better care of their mental health. You and your workers will surely benefit from establishing a psychologically healthy workplace.
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