Mental health isn’t always easy to see, especially when you are at work. And with so many people struggling with mental illness today, just because you can’t tell someone is struggling, it doesn’t mean they aren’t. Mental health affects all aspects of life, including work time. As an employer or an employee, educate yourself on how you can destigmatize mental health in the workplace and instead, make it a priority. 

Does mental health affect work?

Everyone has days where they feel a bit sluggish and less motivated. Sometimes it’s due to fatigue, other times it may be because something is distracting you, but for some, it may be due to mental illness. 

Looking around your office right now, you may not think anyone has a mental illness. However, one in five American adults struggles with a mental illness. So unless you work in an office of four or you work from home, it’s likely someone in your office has a mental illness. While it’s extremely rude to take guesses at who has a mental illness and what it might be, it is important to realize that there are people around you, maybe including you, who feel overwhelmed with everything they are juggling. Mental health issues are different for everyone and each person handles it differently.

Mental illness leads to more missed workdays than any other sickness. Although people feel confident asking for the day off if they need to see the dentist or if they have the flu, when it comes to their mental health, they feel embarrassed to ask for a day off. People will fight through their mental illnesses to avoid taking a day off until it gets bad enough that they don’t want to get out of bed. 

So why not just fib and say, “I think I’m getting a cold,” or “my allergies are really bad today,” to stay home without the embarrassment of admitting that you need some time to re-energize your mental health? 

You could. But mental health needs to become better addressed in the workplace. People feel uncomfortable talking about mental health because it can be such a taboo subject. If you can tell your manager, boss, or coworkers that you need a mental health day, they might come to realize that they need one too. There is a stigma facing those with mental illness in the workplace, and it’s time to stop. 

Why do employees feel uncomfortable talking about their mental health?

Mental illness is a very personal and private matter, which is why talking about it can make people feel uncomfortable. People fear that talking about their mental illness will make people feel like they have permission to ask them questions as if they were a patient at a counseling office. They also fear that it permits people to judge them. 

In the workplace, in particular, employees fear that admitting they have a mental illness will lead to them getting passed up on promotions or being seen as less competent and given fewer responsibilities as a result. They are afraid that their coworkers will bully them and exclude them from after-work drinks, lunches, office chats, and other activities.

Do I need to talk to my employer about my mental health?

Many employees wonder if they need to tell their boss about their mental illness. The answer is no. You never need to share anything with your employer that doesn’t concern them. However, some employees still choose to confide in their bosses. It can be helpful for the boss to understand what you are going through and how they can assist you–whether it’s changing your schedule to be more flexible or allowing you to work remotely. 

It’s much easier for employees to confide in bosses they see as a mentor or friend, but if that’s not your situation, you still have a choice to talk to them about it or not. In either case, you may consider talking to your human resources office to help you put together a plan of action to take to your employer if you plan on confiding in them. 

How can workplaces address mental health?

If you are an employer and you want to destigmatize mental health in your office, there are a few things you can do. 

Offer access to programs and resources 

You can destigmatize mental illness right away by offering programs and resources for your employees. Programs such as an Employee Assistance Program and resources in the community may benefit your employees. Some resources can be directed toward stress management so that they benefit any employee, not only those with mental illness. Employers should also have contacts for local mental health emergency services readily available. Running an awareness campaign in your office will also break down barriers that have been created by the stigma of mental illness. 

Check-in

As you watch your employees, you may notice some of them struggling. Pull them aside and reach out to them without prying for details. Start by asking them something like, “I can tell something is bothering you, would you like to talk about it?” Even if they don’t mention any mental illnesses, you’ve still opened the conversation and made them feel more comfortable to talk to you about anything in the future. 

Understand their needs

If someone does confide in you about mental illness, learn what they need. Do they need a mental health day or a more flexible schedule? Identify their needs and then create a long-term plan together. 

A long-term plan includes the expectations you have for the employee. For example, if you notice they’ve been less productive, you can ask the employee to agree to seek out treatment. They and their doctor will supply updates on progress and you will track their productivity in the office. A long-term plan should also include expected outcomes and what will happen if those outcomes are not met. Long-term plans benefit both the employee and employer because it opens channels of communication and helps employers recognize needs.

Promote ways to form healthy bonds with coworkers

A healthy relationship between coworkers can help people feel more comfortable around each other. Increased opportunities to bond will likely result in trusting relationships where coworkers feel comfortable admitting mental illness or taking a mental health day. You can promote healthy bonds by having an office lunch once a week, taking the team on retreats, and hosting holiday parties. Besides promoting healthy bonds, you can promote an environment of psychological safety where people feel safe and secure. 

Change the office environment

Making the office a more relaxed environment can help those with mental illness who don’t feel comfortable at work. Dedicating a room to a quiet meditation room can give employees a place to relax and refocus while they work. 

How can I support my coworkers’ mental health?

If you have a coworker who has confided in you about their mental illness, offer them support, not advice. If someone tells you about mental illness, they just want you to have their back. They don’t want to feel judged by having you give them advice they are not asking for. Try to treat them equally by still giving them projects and including them in meetings. You can destigmatize mental health by being a friend to those with mental illness. 

Mental health is real and present, especially at workplaces. While you are working on your job, also work on destigmatizing mental health and taking care of your own. It doesn’t matter where you are in the company chain, changing the stigma around mental health can start with you. 

If you are experiencing mental illness and would like to seek treatment to help you manage your condition and make daily work activities easier, call Alvarado Parkway Institute. Our team of professionals can help assist you in any step of the treatment process, from diagnosis to finding the right options for you.  

Sources: 

https://www.psycom.net/how-to-talk-to-your-boss-about-your-mental-health/
https://www.hayscompanies.com/6-tips-create-stigma-free-workplace/
https://www.onedigital.com/blog/7-ways-support-employees-mental-health-problems-workplace