How to Talk About Mental Health At Work: 12 Best Tips
Mental health matters for everyone, but it can unfortunately sometimes still feel taboo to talk about in the workplace. People who suffer from mental illness often feel alone and isolated at work if they're too afraid to speak up.
If you have an employee who is suffering from mental illness or poor mental health at work, here are 12 of our best tips on how to talk about it at work without embarrassing or discouraging your team members.
How To Talk About Mental Health At Work
1. Feel Comfortable
Talking about mental health at work is a big step, and addressing it may be difficult. It takes bravery to speak up and address this sort of personal problem. Even if you want to start a conversation, you might still be nervous about doing so. Take your time and choose a moment when you're comfortable, not one when you're in a hurry or in the middle of a busy day.
Make sure the person knows that you have their best interest in mind and that they can trust you to be a good confidante. It may help to talk about why you want to bring it up. Is there a specific goal? Like "you seem really stressed lately, I'm wondering how you're doing?" or "I've noticed you're struggling at work lately, is everything okay?" Is it just to let them know they have your support and that you won't judge them in any way?
Start with a reason (if you can) and make it clear that this is not an accusation or judgement. Perhaps the best thing to say when talking about mental health at work is to tell the person that you're concerned for them, or that you noticed they are struggling. Keep it professional and simple.
2. Let Others Take the Lead
Don't be pushy. If the employee doesn't want to talk about their mental health, don't pressure them. Let them know that you're supportive and available if they need anything, but don't interrogate them about their struggles. If you ask how they are doing and they seem uncomfortable or put off by the question, stop asking there.
Don't be afraid to give a gentle hint that you'd like to talk about mental health at work without being too direct. Simply say, "I'm here for you if you want to talk about it" or "if you want to speak about anything, I'm open."
3. Ask Questions
Open-ended questions are the best way to get a person talking. Open-ended questions are ones that start with "what" or "how." They're non-judgmental and give them space to talk about their feelings.
When asking someone how they are doing, be careful not to phrase it in a way that might seem accusatory. "What's wrong?" is a bad choice because it seems like you're asking someone to explain something that should be obvious. Phrasing the question positively makes all the difference. A great way of asking about mental health at work would be, "how has your week been going?"
4. Keep it Casual
Don't make a big deal about it. When you're bringing up mental health at work, keep the conversation casual and relaxed. Don't be afraid to talk about feelings, but you don't need to make it too clinical either.
Talking about mental health can be nerve-wracking and sometimes it's easier to talk about it in a casual, low-pressure way. You might say something like "I'm sorry you're feeling so down" or "sometimes I worry about my own anxiety." By normalising the conversation and showing that you aren't judging someone for their struggles, they might be more willing to open up with you.
5. Respect Confidentiality
Never tell someone else about their mental health without their explicit permission. You don't know what they want you to share, and it's best to be cautious about the information that you give out.
It can help for people to be able to speak with you privately about their struggles, without fear of telling others behind their back. If someone tells you something in confidence, take it seriously and don't tell others without their permission.
There may be times when you think that it might benefit the person if others knew about what they're experiencing. This can be a difficult situation to navigate, so proceed with caution. If you have a good enough professional relationship with them, they might open up about this topic themselves.
If you want to let someone know that they can confide in you, or if you want to bring up mental health at work with your boss or co-workers, make sure the person knows you won't tell anyone without their permission.
6. Be Patient
You're not going to solve someone's mental health problems by talking to them once. It would be unrealistic and unhelpful for you to think that you can resolve all of your friend or colleague's problems.
The first time someone asks about your mental health at work should not be the first time you discuss it with them. The point of bringing up mental health is so that you can be there for one another. It means they trust you enough to share their struggles with you, and it also means that they'd like to talk about what's happening with someone who understands.
It might take time before the person opens up about how they're feeling. Let them know that this is something that doesn't have to be dealt with right away. There's no deadline, but if they want your help or just someone to listen then you're here for them.
Talking About Mental Health at Work: Safety Tips
1. Avoid Making Assumptions About Others’ Mental Health: Don't make assumptions about someone's mental health based on their appearance or behavior. Remember that mental illness affects people in ways that aren't always obvious and that by making assumptions, you might be hurting someone instead of helping them.
2. Offer Resources: If you aren't sure how to talk about mental health at work, or what precautions to take to keep your workplace safe and inclusive for everyone, that's okay! Start by offering resources and information. For example: "We're not medical experts here, but we do have some printouts on coping with stress and depression if you'd like them!"
3. Approach the Topic With Empathy: Empathy can help you understand others better, communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships. It isn't always easy to talk about mental health at work or anywhere else, and it can be just as tough to listen. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, remember that empathy isn't about immediately solving the problem—it's simply about acknowledging someone else’s pain and offering an ear to listen.
4. Don’t Judge Others: It's vital to note that mental health is subjective, and it affects people differently. Don't be critical or presumptive. When talking about mental wellness, use non-judgmental listening skills. Everyone deals with stress differently, and mental health is no exception.
5. Be Respectful: When someone opens up to you about their mental health, remember to be considerate. Be respectful, listen actively, and work together to resolve issues.
6. Take Care of Yourself: It's vital to keep in mind that discussing mental well-being, even in a safe and sensitive environment, might be emotionally straining. Make sure to take care of yourself during and after having any talks about mental health.
Final Thoughts on How to Talk About Mental Health at Work
All in all, the most important thing to remember is that everyone deserves support and respect. Each of us has different reasons for feeling the way we do and mental health doesn't discriminate. It's just as important to let people know they're not alone as it is to ensure they feel safe and comfortable within their work environment.
Talking about mental health at work can be tough, but it will make your workplace a more inclusive place for everyone.