You don’t have to be a natural empath to pick up someone’s energy. And when someone is struggling with their mental health, it shows.
For example, you may have a colleague who has been showing signs of poor mental health lately. But social stigma and fear of being seen as ‘unproductive’ at work can keep them from getting close. So how can you help?
For starters, it can help those struggling with mental health issues feel valued and needed, says mental health advocate Katherine Ponte. In a blog written in Harvard Business ReviewPonte, who is also the founder of for how mindsprofessor of psychiatry at Yale University and author of ForLikeMinds: Information on recovery from mental illnesslists the many ways you can be a mental health ally to someone in to work.
How to be a mental health ally at work (according to Harvard Business Review)
1. Consult with yourself
Before contacting the person in question, take a moment to verify. Does it harbor any implicit bias around mental health that stems from ancient conditioning? Any preconceived notions? If so, dissolve them before talking to your colleague. Instead, try to make them feel comfortable sharing their own experiences and vulnerabilities. This puts you and the other person on a more equal footing and can help them feel safe trusting you.
2. Have a one on one
As important as it is to have a conversation with your colleague, you also need to know how and where to bring it up. There’s also the touchy subject of professional and personal boundaries, a line you need to navigate carefully. According to Ponte, it is about being aware of what to say and what not to say. For example, don’t say, “I need to talk to you about your attitude.” Instead, you can phrase it like this: “You don’t seem like yourself lately. Would you like to talk about that? I’ll understand if you don’t want to.”
3. Don’t be pushy
It is important not to prod or prod someone who is going through something so deeply personal. They may get defensive or try to make it seem like it’s no big deal. Be nice and let them know you’re around if they want to talk. If they’re having trouble with their to-do lists, offer to step in and help them find ways to manage their workload.
4. Keep checking in
As with most things in life, be consistent. If they’re willing, continue the conversation because you don’t want them to feel like you’ve been rejected for sharing too much. Let them trust you; they should know that any information they share with you will be kept strictly confidential.
5. Encourage open and better communication
If you are in a leadership position, try to incorporate measures whereby all employees are encouraged to speak openly about mental health and other issues without fear of being ‘other’. This includes conducting routine informational workshops, group self-care activities such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness programs, flexible work hours, and medical leave policies.
As Ponte says, “being an ally requires patience, gentle persistence, and creativity.” What’s important is that you do your part to promote a workplace culture where people struggling with mental health are treated with empathy and feel safe reaching out or seeking support when needed.
