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In the latest Workplace Wellbeing Training blog, we look at tips for manager to support their teams mental health, and some training courses available.
The mental health of employees is an important issue for employers. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls it a “public health priority”. The condition of mental health is not only relevant to employees, but also for the success and productivity of businesses.
As the leader of a team, it's important to be aware of the mental health of your employees. After all, a healthy team is a productive team! Here are five things you can do to improve your team's mental health at work.
There are a few simple steps you can take to improve the mental health of your team. One of the most important things is to create a positive and supportive working environment. This means promoting open communication, encouraging team bonding, and providing adequate resources and support.
Another important step is to ensure that everyone on the team feels like they have a voice and that their opinions are valued. This can be done by encouraging open discussion, conducting regular feedback sessions, and ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute to decision-making.
Another way to improve the mental health of your team is to create a positive work environment by fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect. Encourage team members to share their ideas and concerns, and make sure everyone feels like they are heard and valued. Creating a positive work environment will help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of well-being for all team members and by taking these simple steps, you can create a more positive environment for your team.
With office jobs being so sedentary there are always concerns about the knock on health effects. One of the things that you can do is encouraging a healthy lifestyle in a way that is accessible.
There a number of different ways to do this:
Most importantly when it comes to mental health, promote a positive work-life balance — encourage them to take breaks during the day, take holiday days, and use their paid time off. Let them know that it is okay to take time for themselves outside of work. Encourage your employees to take care of themselves. Help them find time for exercise, relaxation, and social activities. Promote a healthy lifestyle and make sure that your employees have access to the resources they need to stay healthy.
It is important to be able to recognise when someone on your team is struggling with their mental health. This can be difficult, as people may not always show obvious signs. However, there are some common signs to look out for, such as a change in mood, increased absenteeism, or a decline in work performance. If you notice any of these things, it may be worth having a conversation with the person to see how they are doing.
Creating an environment where people feel supported can make a big difference to their mental health. This means fostering open communication, being understanding and flexible, and offering assistance when needed. You can also create a supportive environment by recognising achievements and celebrating successes together.
You may wish to train your line managers as Mental Health First Aiders so that they are able to recognise and respond to any mental health issues that may arise within their team. Contact our training team today for more information on Mental Health First Aid Training.
One of the best ways to improve the mental health of your team is to keep them motivated. Encourage them to set goals and reward them when they reach those goals. Let them know that you appreciate their hard work and that you are there to support them.
Make sure that your employees feel like they are part of a team. Encourage them to work together and help each other out. Make sure that everyone knows their role and that they are valued for their contributions.
Encourage your employees to take care of themselves. Help them find time for exercise, relaxation, and social activities. Promote a healthy lifestyle and make sure that your employees have access to the resources they need to stay healthy.
Make sure that your employees feel like they are valued. Show them that you care about their well-being and that you are interested in their success. Let them know that you appreciate their hard work and that you are there to support them, recognise their achievements and give them opportunities to grow.
If you want to improve the mental health of your team, it's important to ensure that support is available. Make sure that employees have access to mental health resources, whether that means providing information about outside counselling services or an employee assistance programme. If possible, these resources should be easily accessible and confidential.
It's also important to create an environment where employees feel comfortable talking about their mental health. Encourage open communication and let employees know that they can come to you with any concerns. Be there for your team members when they need it. Let them know that you are available to talk if they need someone to confide in. Offer help and resources if they are struggling with mental health issues. Show them that you care about their wellbeing and want to help them in any way you can.
You may also wish to signpost local mental health services, you can always direct them to the Solent Mind Supportline who will identify their needs and direct them to the most suitable services, whether they are provided by Solent Mind or another local mental health service.
Remember that some mental illnesses are classes as disabilities under the Equality Act and that you may have a legal duty to offer reasonable adjustments to make sure that, disabled workers have the same access to everything involved in doing and keeping a job as non-disabled workers. You can find out more about your responsibility as an employer on the ACAS website.
Workplace wellbeing training can help employees to identify and manage stressors in their work environment. This can lead to improved mental health for employees and a more positive work environment overall. There are a wide range of courses available from the training team at Solent Mind including:
— Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) — This in-depth and widely recognised certification is the Mental Health equivalent of physical first aid.
— Managing Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace — Grow the confidence to support staff mental health as a line manager.
— Bitesize Mental Health — Informal sessions, perfect for lunchtimes or away days.
— Suicide Awareness — Build the confidence to have life-saving conversations.
— 5 Ways to Wellbeing — Learn how connecting, being active, taking notice, learning and giving can help you achieve better mental health.
— Managing Anxiety — Learn tried and tested practical tools and techniques for managing anxiety.
— Mental Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace — Grow your team’s awareness and knowledge of how to keep good mental health.
— Mental Health & Welling Workshop — In-depth coverage of signs, symptoms, diagnosis, myths & stigma of mental health problems with practical ways to maintain your own wellbeing.
— and many more.
Explore our courses at solentmind.org.uk/training or email our training team on training@solentmind.org.uk for your personalised quote and to make a booking for your team.
