Great workplaces have good mental health

 

The prevalence of mental health-related issues in New Zealand is increasing and the workplace can be a positive force for improving mental health. Many Kiwis struggle in silence with a mental health condition, so it’s time to understand how best to look after each other – and ourselves – at work.

In most workplaces, nobody thinks twice about discussing how they feel physically. You call in sick when you’ve got the flu or take off time to recover from a broken limb. But what about your mental health? Would you tell your boss you need a day or two off because you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed?

Worryingly, a recent NZ workplace study showed that more than a quarter of employees felt depressed much of the time and a half said depression affected their work life to some extent. The costs to organisations were also considerable since people who reported the highest psychological distress had up to 3.5 times more days off work than those with the least level of stress.

According to a recent report published in the Australia and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, mental illness is the leading cause of long-term workplace absence. What’s more, it’s associated with a rise in “presenteeism” – when an employee shows up for work while struggling with their symptoms, unable to function at full capacity.

The impact on people, employers and society at large is significant and the cost is huge. Yet the stigma around mental illness prevents people from speaking up about it. Here are some tips about what you can do if you’re suffering from mental health issues, and how employers can help support staff and promote mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

 

What employers can do

Aimee Gayed, a PhD candidate in the workplace mental health research team at the Black Dog Institute, says employers should take notice of changes in an employee’s behaviour or performance.

“Mental illness can be misunderstood as poor performance and mismanaged as a result, which can enhance the social and financial impact for the individual. When managers and organisations have appropriate policies and procedures in place to support staff during a period of mental illness, the positive social and financial effects can be seen for the individual and the organisation.” Gayed says.

A key step is for team and people leaders to schedule regular one-on-one catch-ups with each staff member to build rapport and create an ongoing opportunity for discussion – whether it be about resources and how they’re managing their role or to talk about mental health issues and asking the important question “Are you ok?”.  In a situation where you may be worried about a staff member but you’re not sure how to start the conservation, the R U OK website has developed four steps to help. Overall, for both employers and staff, we can all help create a culture where people feel confident asking and answering this simple yet important question.

To further support employee mental health and wellbeing, businesses can consider having mental health first aiders, having employees share their own stories and experiences with mental illness and distributing materials around the office with advice, such as breathing exercises and healthy eating programmes.

 

What staff can do

Most of us spend a substantial part of our days at work, so it’s vital to be aware of the impact that your workplace, and your role within it, may have on your mental health and wellbeing. You don’t have complete control over your work environment but there are steps you can take to help you self-manage:

·        Take regular breaks during the day

·        Keep to reasonable working hours

·        Schedule meetings only during working hours

·        Take your annual leave

·        Negotiate flexible work arrangements and avoid taking work home with you if you             can

It’s just as important to take steps to help you self-manage in your spare time, such as spending quality time with friends and family, listening to podcasts, exercise and where possible limiting social media usage each day.

How technology can help

Thanks to smartphones and wearable fitness trackers, you can keep on top of your physical and mental wellbeing – widespread research tells us the two go hand-in-hand. If you are struggling with your mental health, you can also access a wealth of online resources and apps to help assess your state of mind, address your issues and engage in real-time crisis counselling. Some helpful websites include:

 

 

 

30 June 2020