Introduction
In today’s workplace, we often see a “no tolerance” policy for employees struggling with mental health. But this isn’t always the case, and it doesn’t need to be. We’ve all heard the stories of people suffering in silence because they fear being judged or stigmatized in their workplaces. So what can we do? How can you create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable talking about mental health issues?
The stigma around mental health still exists in society, but when it comes to the workplace, the barriers can be even bigger.
The stigma around mental health still exists in society, but when it comes to the workplace, the barriers can be even bigger.
In an anonymous survey conducted by Mental Health Foundation and Randstad Canada, only one third of employees reported being comfortable talking about their mental health with their colleagues. This is especially true for men: only 20% of male respondents said they would feel comfortable discussing their mental health at work compared to 33% of women who would feel comfortable doing so.
The workplace is much more than a place for work – it’s where you spend your time outside of home, so it becomes important to have a healthy and supportive working environment.
The workplace is much more than a place for work – it’s where you spend your time outside of home, so it becomes important to have a healthy and supportive working environment.
When we talk about mental health at work, we’re usually referring to how employees feel about their jobs, their colleagues and their managers. But there are other factors that can affect your attitude towards work and impact on your mental wellbeing. These include:
- The culture of the company – whether there’s a positive or negative vibe in the office
- How satisfied people are with their pay or benefits packages (if any)
Breaking the stigma starts with organizations making an effort to create supportive environments
To break down the stigma, organizations need to make an effort to create supportive environments. This can be done by creating a healthy work culture where employees feel comfortable talking about mental health.
One way to do this is by having clear policies around mental health in your organization. A good example of such a policy would include:
- Information about who in HR or management should be contacted if an employee feels they need help with their mental health issues (e.g., phone numbers for various services)
- A list of confidential resources available within the company and outside it (e.g., websites like 7 Cups or Help Guide)
Conclusion
The workplace environment can be a stressful place, but it doesn’t have to be. By breaking down the stigma around mental health and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable talking about their struggles, organizations can begin making strides towards eliminating this issue altogether.
