Michelle Robinson Hayes is a mental health trainer, and the preventative services leader at Vita Health Group
In England, one in six people report having a mental health issue in a given week. This includes anxiety and depression. According to research by UK-based mental-health charity Mind, only a little over half of employees who have poor mental health tell their employers.
These statistics show that stigmatization of mental health continues even as attitudes in society begin to change. This is why it’s not surprising that many employees feel uncomfortable and anxious about discussing mental health in the workplace.
Many employees are afraid of being judged, stigmatised or misunderstood. They do not seek support. This conversation can help to manage mental health and find relief in the workplace.
It is important to understand how to best approach your manager about mental health in order to get the support you need.
Here are four tips you can use to help discuss mental health with your boss:
1/ Schedule a meeting
The timing and the environment can have a significant impact on how serious conversations are conducted. It is essential to schedule a private meeting in order to create an environment where both you and your manager feel comfortable. Select a time that is free of deadlines and interruptions for both you, as well as your manager. The conversation will be able to proceed calmly and focused.
It is important to both parties that they take the conversation seriously. You can also speak openly and honestly about sensitive topics without fear of others hearing you. You can create a relaxed, quiet environment for an open, honest conversation by arranging a meeting with just one person. It can make you feel more comfortable and help to open up a dialogue with your manager.
2/ Spend time preparing for the meeting
When discussing something so personal and sensitive like mental health, preparation is key. Consider what you would like to say, and identify specific work factors that contribute to stress, anxiety or depression. Also, consider how these issues impact your job performance and wellbeing. You might feel overwhelmed by a heavy workload or tight deadlines.
You can stay on track by writing down the key points. Clarifying your concerns will help you to create a structured conversation and emphasize the seriousness of what happened.
Also, think of possible solutions in advance. Presenting a problem with a solution can help foster a collaborative and proactive attitude. If your workload becomes unmanageable suggest solutions such as adjusting deadlines and delegating tasks. You are showing that you’re not just asking for help, but also looking at ways to improve things.
Try to express your concerns clearly
Be specific when describing the stressors that you face and how they affect your mental health or your performance at work. Giving concrete examples helps your manager understand the severity of the situation. Instead of saying “I feel stressed out,” say “I have been struggling with constant tight deadlines which are increasing my stress levels and affecting both my sleep and my productivity.”
You can help your manager understand the impact your mental health issues have on your job by being more specific. Discuss how long the issues have been ongoing and any patterns that you’ve observed. Mentioning a trend, such as a steady decline in your mental health due to an increased workload, can help you to emphasize the urgency of this issue. By describing the facts and relating them to your job, you can encourage your manager to find a solution, rather than become defensive.
4/ Collaboratively identify solutions
You may be able to move the conversation on from your feelings and concerns after you have expressed them. Here’s where a collaborative strategy comes into play. Instead of putting the entire burden on your manager, brainstorm together adjustments that can help alleviate the current situation. You could change your work schedule, have flexible hours or make regular checks-in to ensure you are receiving ongoing support.
If you are having trouble maintaining a balance between work and life, you might suggest that you have more flexibility with your start and finish times. You could also ask for additional resources such as temporary assistance from a co-worker during busy periods. When you explain how the changes will benefit both your mental well-being and your performance at work, your manager is more likely to accept your request.
This could be expressed as: “I believe that having a flexible schedule will allow me to better manage my workload, which can improve my wellbeing and productivity.”
It can be difficult to open up about mental health issues at work, especially if you don’t feel comfortable sharing your feelings. You should always remember that your manager will support you and that workplace accommodations are beneficial to everyone. This is not a substitute for the hard work that many employers do to create a workplace where employees can feel comfortable talking about their mental health without fear of repercussions.
Mental health issues can consume you and make it difficult to talk to anyone at work about them. You are not alone, and there is professional help available. If you don’t have access to this, then it is possible that your employer offers an employee assistance program (EAP). If you don’t have access to this, you can still get free talking therapies on the NHS. You can either refer yourself to a NHS service, without a GP’s referral, or a GP may refer you.
About Michelle Robinson Hayes – mental health trainer, Vita Health Group – preventative services leader:Michelle Robinson Hayes is an expert in workplace mental illness and has a passion for helping employees overcome mental health challenges. She provides education and training to organisations and empowers their employees to lead healthier and happier lifestyles. Michelle is a member of the BACP and NCPS.
The first time this post appeared was on Human Resources News.
