The information contained in this article is not intended as legal advice and may no longer be accurate due to changes in the law. Consult NHMA's legal services or your municipal attorney.
According to a recent NAMI Workplace Mental Health Poll, people who are less comfortable talking about their mental health at work are more likely to report burnout. More than half of the members polled reported feeling burned out in the past year, with 37% of members reporting difficulty in their jobs due to feeling emotionally overwhelmed.
Leaders are positioned to create positive work environments, but conversations around mental health at work can be challenging to navigate. Approaching an employee about issues of mood and mental health can be tricky, even anxiety producing, for managers and leaders. Despite being a challenging topic, openness about mental health in the workplace can improve the well-being of members as well as increase productivity. Here are few ideas for leaders to set the stage for a workplace that normalizes conversations about mental health:
Communicate about mental health and well-being. Tools such as stress reduction training, articles, and videos on the topic of mental health can open the door to future communication on the topic. Your employees may feel more comfortable asking for help for themselves or a fellow co-worker.
Inform your employees about their mental health benefits. When employees know what resources are available to them, they are more likely to self-refer for treatment and support. This often leads to individuals addressing their mental health symptoms before performance or attendance problems begin.
Promote your Employee Assistance Program (EAP). According to NAMI, 51% of employees say they would utilize a service to support their mental health if the services offered were free, confidential, and independent from their employer. When employees understand how their EAP works, they are more likely to use this benefit. 
Recognize the signs of mental health issues. Be alert to changes in an employee’s performance, attendance, and mood. Addressing the early signs of mental health struggles can help prevent more severe issues.
Talk to employees one-on-one about your concerns. Changes in performance, attendance, attitude, and appearance are opportunities to express genuine concern for the employee and remind them about their resources, such as EAP. If you are unsure how to have this conversation, don’t hesitate to reach out to your EAP for suggestions and support.
Foster a supportive environment. Encourage a culture of openness where mental health is discussed without stigma. Regularly promote wellness activities and mental health initiatives within your workplace.
Provide ongoing support. Have regular check-in meetings with employees, especially those who have shown signs of distress or burnout. Offer continued support to ensure their well-being. Keep reminding employees about the resources available to them.
By addressing mental health in the workplace, you not only support your employees’ well-being but also create a more productive, supportive, and positive work environment.
This article is provided by LifeResources Employee Assistance Program, powered by AllOne Health.