Mental health is a big topic that everyone has to manage on a daily basis.
The good news is that there are amazing organisations and movements helping to de-stigmatise the topic, and also teach us how to approach it with work, family and friends.
For business owners, it is important to create an environment that facilitates healthy chats about mental health, and helps employees feel supported.
After doing our own research, here are some key ways to do this:
- Go beyond legal obligations
Taking little moments and opportunities to show interest in your staff’s personal life, where appropriate, can help them to feel cared for and supported.
- Know your power as the employer
As the employer, you have the ability to set the workplace culture. This is a gift! It means that if you value something enough, you can bring it to the forefront of your company. Positively promoting mental well-being can be achieved in a few ways. For example, through highlighting awareness days, training sessions and team meetings.
- Regularly review job demands
By intentionally reviewing the different roles that your staff play, and the initial agreements in their contracts, you can identify if there are any areas which may need to be revised. Under pressure, deadlines, and the intensity that so often is found in the workplace, it can be easy for people to slowly start agreeing to extend themselves, which usually establishes new norms. To avoid this, we can review job descriptions and consider the state of each employee’s work load and expectations. Ensuring it’s do-able, and supports a healthy lifestyle.
- Look for ways to make your employees life easier
Maybe there are some jobs that could be outsourced. Maybe there is a day a week that they could work from home, or a day where they could finish early to have family time. Where possible and viable, introducing new ways to make work life easier will not only be beneficial to mental health, but will also increase employee loyalty, gratitude and work ethic.
- Look at how you could participate in a training or awareness session with your team
As the business owner, you are the leader of your team. Organising a team session can help everyone feel confident in how to approach conversations about mental health, ask for help when they need it, and recognise when their associates may need some extra support.
These steps are practical and effective in achieving what we all want… a positive and healthy work life.
Here at Your Accounting Sanctuary, we have a personal commitment to constantly operating our business in ways that support positive mental health, and fun!
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, and you would like professional advice from someone, please contact BeyondBlue. Contact number: 1300 224 636
If you want advice specific to the workplace for yourself or a colleague, you can also contact HeadsUp on the same phone number (1300 224 636).