Supporting mental health in the workplace
“Mental health is something we should all educate ourselves on in order to create more supportive and inclusive environments at work. And you never know, by following these simple steps, you might just change someone’s life.” Ellie Duncombe, Senior Account Manager
How are you?
It’s a question we ask each other daily, but how often are we truly honest with our answer?
In 2021, mental health troubles were the most common cause of lost working time in nearly every industry.[1] In fact, time off work due to poor mental health averaged at least three times longer than for COVID-related reasons.[1] This is a staggering statistic, and one that we must pay attention to and take action against in order to better support our colleagues’ wellbeing.
We’ve seen huge progress in recent years in tackling the stigma that surrounds mental health, and we’re opening up more than ever before about ‘how we’re feeling’ in both our personal lives and at work. This is hugely positive, but we need to be careful that “mental health” doesn’t become a buzzword, and that talking about mental health in the workplace isn’t mere virtue signalling. Having a company mental health policy is the first step to supporting our colleagues, but truly living and breathing that policy every day is how we will really make a difference to the overall happiness of our teams!
Having witnessed the detrimental impact that poor mental health can have among my own family and friends, I was excited to be given the opportunity to train as a mental health first aider for our team here at Anthem. Over the two years I’ve been a part of Anthem I’ve seen how the company continues to put its people first, and I felt proud to be able to be part of such an important initiative that I hoped would truly make a difference to the wellbeing of my teammates.
I learnt so much over the course of the training, here are some of the key insights and top tips that we can all implement on a day-to-day basis to uplift our colleagues and create a supportive and uplifting culture:
1. Notice the little things
Simply being aware that your colleague is perhaps a little quieter than usual, that their motivation seems to have dipped, or that they have been skipping the monthly socials that you enjoy as a team, is the first step to helping someone.
2. Simply listen
The second step is to have the bravery to ask if someone is OK, and most importantly, to listen. Someone might not feel comfortable with discussing their mental health, and that’s OK, but by opening up the conversation and remaining non-judgemental, we can offer a colleague a safe space to talk about how they might be feeling.
3. You don’t have to have the answer!
One of the most important learnings that I took away from the training course is that the role of the mental health first aider is not to try to fix the problem or offer advice. In fact, you don’t have to be trained in mental health to support your colleagues! By listening and showing empathy you can act as a sounding board for somebody to open up, and if you’re unsure on what to do next, direct them to either a mental health first aider or a member of the HR team so that they can offer more practical advice.
4. Have some resources up your sleeve
On that note, it’s always handy to know of a few support services so that you can point your colleague in the right direction for help and support. Websites like www.mind.org.uk or free listening services such as Samaritans or the Shout Crisis Text Line, offer confidential support from trained volunteers. If your colleague is in a crisis situation, the Mind website lists some simple coping techniques and exercises that try to address the things that they might be experiencing in that given moment.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, I invite you really listen when your colleague answers that everyday question, “how are you?”. Mental health is something we should all educate ourselves on in order to create more supportive and inclusive environments at work. And you never know, by following these simple steps, you might just change someone’s life.
Mental health support services:
· NHS urgent mental health helpline: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline
· Mind Charity: www.mind.org.uk
· Mind Charity – Urgent Coping Strategies: https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/what-can-i-do-to-help-myself-cope/
· Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org / 116 123
· Shout Crisis Text Line: https://giveusashout.org / 85258
[1] GoodShape. Poor mental health is UK's top reason for time off work in 2021. Available at: https://blog.goodshape.com/news/poor-mental-health-is-number-one-reason-for-time-off-work-for-uk-employees-in-2021. Last accessed March 2023
