5 Ways Leaders can Help Normalize Mental Health in the Workplace

In our previous blog post, we highlighted statistics related to the added stress this pandemic has placed on employees, amplifying the mental health challenges many were already experiencing.   

As leaders we cannot ignore the statistics and we need to help normalize mental health in the workplace. Here are 5 of the many ways leaders can help normalize mental health in the workplace: 

Be a role model

Talk about your mental health. When we talk about this more publicly, others will recognize themselves in our stories and this will in turn normalize mental health in your workplace. It takes courage to go first, and as a leader, this is the number one thing you can do to begin creating a psychologically safe environment. 

Take note, there is a safe way and an unsafe way of sharing our mental health stories with our colleagues. We have to remain mindful of trauma informed support principles, as well as be aware of the impact our own values and beliefs might have on our story. In our peer support training curriculum*, we spend the time needed to teach peer supporters how to share their stories appropriately with a peer to encourage empowerment and recovery. 

*For more information on our peer support training curriculum, click here.

Create a relationship with your people

Check in with your people regularly. As a leader, it is important for you to be communicating and talking with your direct reports about things other than work and deliverables. Getting to know your people is one of the best ways to support their mental health. That way, if you notice something changes in their mood or behaviour, you’ve already laid the groundwork to opening a conversation about it with them. Check in directly and effectively by asking “R U OK?” (based on the ICARE framework*)  

*The ICARE Framework is a central part of the WeCARE eLearning program. The framework is just one example of the many helpful resources included with the program and provides five evidence-based steps to help a teammate who is struggling. 

Download a free copy of the ICARE Framework here.

Limit the drama of unhealthy work habits

Hold each other (leaders) accountable to good healthy workplace habits. Talking about the lack of sleep or how busy you are is the opposite of this tactic. There is often a badge of honour worn for those of us who work extra hours and who are “on” all the time and refuse to make sleep or time off a priority. Let’s try and flip the script and instead be recognized for taking better care of ourselves and one another.  

Ask for support

As a leader, when you ask for support, it shows your people that you are human and that they can be as well. The best way to create trust and normalize mental health with your colleagues is to show them that you don't always know what you're doing, nor do you have all the answers. When you ask for support, two things happen; it creates trust in others, and you are showing others what it means to be human. No one has all the answers, and no one has to have it all figured out. 

Be honest about what you need

If you're not doing well mentally and you need to reschedule a meeting or adjust a timeline to support your mental health, let your people know that you need to take care of yourself. As leaders, our employees need to see we are taking care of ourselves and making our mental health a priority. After all, our actions speak louder than words. Being in communication about your mental health does not mean you need to disclose details. In fact, just letting a colleague know that you need to reschedule because you need a mental health break is one of the best possible ways to normalize mental health in the workplace. 

Check out the WeCARE demo video to see how this program could support normalizing mental health in your workplace!