As a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, I have trained over 1000 delegates to become Mental Health First Aiders during the last couple of years. From this, it is evident that there is still a large proportion of people who are reluctant to talk about mental health with their employers.
The reasons are numerous including fear of being fired, being harshly judged by managers and colleagues or negatively performance reviewed. This is not the whole picture though, there is also an acknowledgement that on balance it is easier to spot a mental health issue developing in someone else, rather than in ourselves. It’s rather like the fuel in your car’s petrol tank, whilst it’s still half empty, there’s no concern, only when the empty red light indicator comes on, do you start to worry about where the next petrol station is and whether you can make it before the fuel runs out!
When we develop physical pain or illness it’s easier to seek and accept help from a medical professional however, the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and illness can be more difficult to understand and explain to others.
A recent report published by Benendon Health which surveyed over 2000 employees showed that 33% of them with a mental health issue had not told their employer, and poor mental health was reported as the most common health condition experienced over the last two years, above conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis.
How do organisations therefore build a culture and environment that actively encourages everyone, Directors, Managers and Staff, to talk openly about their mental health issues or illness, such as anxiety and depression in the same way they’d refer to a broken leg or other physical illness.
Organisational culture is built on a set of shared core values and beliefs, from the top down and reinforced, particularly by the behaviour and actions of Directors and Managers. This is also supported by the strategy and structure of the company.
Stephen Clarke, an ex CEO of WHSmith and a self-confessed ‘publicity phobic’, risked back in 2017 opening up about his and his family’s struggles with mental health, signing the Time to Change Pledge which spearheaded WHSmiths commitment to raising awareness of mental health, and reducing mental health stigma and discrimination across the organisation.
Is one of the keys therefore as simple as proactively encouraging vulnerability? Something that is defined by Brene Brown as not being a weakness, but rather about emotional risk, exposure and uncertainty, all of which fuel our daily lives. Having the courage to be vulnerable seems to fly in the face of perceived wisdom that it opens us up to the possibility of being attacked or hurt in some way, physically or emotionally. However, in reality, showing vulnerability can actually encourage more connection and compassion from those around us.
To encourage people to be more vulnerable and honest, try these:
- Encourage managers to hold regular wellbeing check-ins which focus on the person and how they are feeling, not on their performance and what they are achieving. Be genuine and authentic, it’s not a tick box exercise!
- Have the courage to share personal challenges with mental health which sends a powerful message that it’s okay to talk about this subject.
- Add the subject of wellbeing and mental health into your day to day processes i.e. exit interviews, onboarding new starters, performance reviews, toolbox talks etc.
The old adage applies here that “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and so reflect on where your organisation is now and if it’s a long way from encouraging employees to be more open and honest about what’s going on for them, start with small actions that build trust and get the message across that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
References:
https://www.benenden.co.uk/media/7707/national-health-and-wellbeing-at-work-report.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq8grmWh3H0 WHSmith Take Action to Reduce Mental Health Discrimination in the Workplace
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability
