Workplace mental health: The secret sauce for success
Most of us get up in the morning hoping to have a good, productive day, getting our jobs done without needless stress or conflict. That includes those of us who struggle with mental health, which can manifest as anything from a short fuse to a crying jag to the inability to focus or communicate clearly. When a person’s awash in internal noise, it can be next to impossible for them to bring their A game. An understanding of mental health is key to building the kind of smooth, thriving teamwork that allows everybody to play their role in whatever the project may be, whether it’s feeding people, handling information, building houses, or treating patients, to the absolute best of their ability. It’s the kind of factor that can make the difference between a rough day and a good one for everybody involved.
So, what do employers, managers and human resources folks need to know about mental health to make those good days as frequent as they can possibly be? It starts at the top, with policy. The employers who succeed in building and keeping a good, dedicated team understand the importance of work/life balance as a basic human right. Sure, there are times when everyone may need to come together for maximum effort, but they’ll do so a lot more willingly and effectively if they know it’s appreciated -and that, when the goal is reached, they’ll get that personal day they need to regroup. Be alert for signs of burnout, and don’t wait until someone’s last nerve has been shredded before finding out what’s grinding them down and fixing it, if at all possible. When a good employee is struggling, is a pep talk your go-to strategy? Don’t automatically respond with, “Oh, you’re so good at this, I’m sure you can handle it!” If they’re feeling the exact opposite at that moment, they’re likely to feel like you just aren’t hearing them. Listen until you fully understand, find a way to help solve the problem, and you’ll earn the kind of loyalty that makes a team a team. Research shows that every dollar that a company invests in mental health resources for employees results in about four dollars in increased productivity, thanks to a decrease in sick days, interruptions and workplace conflict. A happy workplace turns out a better product, and a better product is what keeps those customers coming back. Pay attention to best practices. A recent benchmark study surveying over 20,000 employees at companies large and small found wellness and healthcare -- mental health care very much included -- to be top priorities. Benefits need to be solid, confidential, and easy to access; strive for the kind of company culture that makes taking care of one’s mental wellness a mark of honor, not a stigma. One in four or five people will experience a mental health concern at some point. Many of them will be people you can’t afford to lose.
True leadership means modeling respect for every human being; lead by example, and you’ll be in a much better position to resolve conflicts and solve any problems that do come up. Everything works better when the mood is right -- make sure the people on your team have the resources they need to thrive and watch them return the favor by exceeding your (reasonable!) expectations. For more information, please email hello@weareallied.org