Focus on Mental Health
Did you know that May has been Mental Health Awareness Month annually since 1949? But you can be sure that it is getting more attention this year than any other year since it made it to the calendar.
No surprise to anyone that our employees are feeling stressed with pressures at home and at work, so Mental Health Awareness Month could not have come at a better time.
Like any issue that impacts our working environment, it‘s not enough to be aware that it’s an issue, but as leaders and managers, action is required.
Consider:
Taking a good look at your health care plans to ensure that your mental health coverage is as comprehensive as possible.
Adding mental health days to your paid time off policies—we know employees take them but lie about it. Make it acceptable to take a mental health day.
Meeting with your Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) provider and focusing on what services they offer relating to mental health. Actively publicize the EAP to your employees, and encourage your staff to take advantage of what they offer. Most EAP’s offer financial counseling, and since financial issues are a source of stress, if your EAP doesn’t offer this service, consider finding another source for financial issues or searching for a more comprehensive EAP. If you don’t already have an EAP, this is a great time to take that step.
Paying some attention to your culture. Is empathy a core value in your organization? Could your managers benefit from some training in how to empathize and how to listen?
Building in some fun or relaxation time to you work week. There are lots of ideas online for ways you can engage your workforce in some fun time to build your team but also to allow people to relax. Encourage your staff—whether in the office or at home—to take frequent breaks and to get outside whenever possible. Discourage people from eating at their desks but to use that time to really step away from their to-do lists.
Focusing on health and wellness all the time. Talk about the topic in staff meetings and do quick email blasts with tips. The types of topics to be covered are endless including exercise and fitness, heart health, nutrition, stress management, meditation, weight management, smoking cessation, summer health tips, and so many more.
Since increased stress levels are a significant factor in mental health issues, encourage your managers and supervisors to be alert to signs of stress in their direct reports. One of the many things we learned during the pandemic was that a one-on-one conversation between a manager and an employee is extremely valuable. Managers need to sincerely ask employees how they are and listen for any signs of unusual stress. That’s the time for a referral to the EAP.
Another valuable lesson from the pandemic is that employees want to be treated like human beings—not just employees. May is a great time to start.