Good mental health is important for us in order to be able to function effectively at work. However there is often a lack of clarity and understanding of what good mental health at work actually means.
Leaders are also often hesitant to engage with staff who appear to be struggling with their mental health for concern of interfering in personal issues, or through lack of skill in dealing with mental health issues. This can result in a workplace where mental health is not ‘ talked about’, and there is can be a negative stigma attached to anyone who appears to be struggling with their mental health.
What does good mental health at work look like, and what do businesses need to do to ensure their workplace actively promotes and supports good mental health?
According to the World Health Organization, good mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual can work productively and successfully, realise their own potential by developing their capabilities, and can cope effectively with the normal stresses of life.
In a workplace setting good mental health enables an individual to
· Feel good and positive about the work they do and the contribution they are making
· Focus on their work and achieve their tasks and goals
· Be optimistic and feel in control of their work, decisions and workload
· Engage positively with work colleagues and their stakeholders
· Be resilient and manage the normal stresses associated with work and deadlines
· Feel encouraged, respected and supported to achieve their work goals
Businesses need to ensure that they have an understanding of what good mental health looks like in their workplace, and have positive and proactive practices and strategies to support this. An important component of providing a mentally healthy workplace is for businesses to recognise and promote aspects of work that make their staff feel empowered and able to achieve their best.
Strategies to promote positive mental health for employees include:
· Developing a proactive approach and strategies to ensure physical and mental health and safety. Staff need to feel safe in their work environment and be able to raise concerns without fearing or experiencing any negative consequences.
· Setting realistic work expectations. While economic pressures, organisational changes and drivers, and seasonal fluctuations can impact workloads, businesses need to monitor the impact on staff and ensure workloads are consistent and realistic. Downsizing often increases the workload of remaining staff and can create unrealistic performance expectations.
· Ensuring effective and timely communication. Uncertainty and job insecurity can create stress, reduce motivation and productivity, and can negatively impact employees’ mental health. Involving staff in change processes and decision making activities can also ensure greater commitment and provide opportunities for professional development.
· Creating a positive work culture that is inclusive, encourages diversity and does not tolerate discrimination or bullying. Negative work behaviours can often be insidious and hidden from view, so it’s important to create regular checking in processes and surveys to help identify and eliminate negative and destructive attitudes and behaviours.
Prioritising the development of a mentally healthy workplace also has significant benefits for businesses including, reduced staff turnover, less absenteeism and sick leave, increased staff satisfaction and productivity and becoming an employer of choice.
Businesses can significantly impact the mental health of their employees by creating a culture which supports, respects, includes and involves them and allows them to feel good about coming to work, being fully engaged and able to thrive.
So let’s continue to ‘talk about it’!
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