4 Ways to Support Employee Mental Health as a Manager

August 31, 2021–  Kelsia Melendez

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employee mental health has become more crucial than ever. Every year in the United States, 1 out of 5 adults battle with some form of mental illness. Of those, only 50-60% receive the services they need.  
The impacts of poor employee mental health are well-documented and can lead to a wide array of issues in the workplace from absenteeism, accidents, underperformance, increased hiring costs and more. To learn more about what you, as an employer or manager, can do to support your employees’ emotional well-being, read the following 4 simple tips:

Understand the impact of mental health on employees

Poor mental health can seriously impact employee performance. In fact, a study found that workers with depression work roughly 70% of their maximum potential on average. Even health costs can increase among employees with mental health issues. The National Alliance on Mental Illness reported rates of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases being roughly 40% more in those with serious mental illness.
Mental health services can go a long way to improve health and performance. In fact, 86% of people treated for depression have reported an increase in productivity and mental health services have been found to reduce absenteeism by 40-60%.
By understanding these impacts, you have the tools to create a more supportive workspace. Destigmatizing mental illness in the workplace goes a long way in creating a space of trust in which your staff feels comfortable coming to you for support.

Make frequent check-ins

As a manager or employer, it’s likely that you interact with your staff on a near daily basis, yet 40% of workers report that their manager had never asked them if they were okay. Try to reach out to your employees beyond asking simple questions like “How are you doing?”. Instead, consider asking deeper questions about what support systems they may need and how you, as a manager, can help them achieve their goals. Be sure to listen fully to their concerns and encourage them to elaborate. Open communication can go a long way to creating a safe space to talk about mental illness.

Communicate more often than you have to

When managers exhibit poor communication skills, employees are 23% more likely to experience a decline in mental health. Be aware that your ability to communicate effectively can directly impact stress levels amongst your staff. Be clear about expectations and tasks that need to be a priority in order to reduce any confusion that might contribute to overall stress levels. Additionally, be aware of the stigma associated with mental health issues and be sure to address what resources are available to your employees. In fact, mention these resources and supports often to increase the likelihood of your staff being comfortable seeking assistance from you.

Be flexible

Change is a constant part of work and life, so expect problems that arise to require different solutions. Be proactive about your communication so that you can be available to solve issues that arise over time. Be cognizant of your own biases so that you do not make assumptions about issues that come your way. Be patient and supportive, in fact, consider sharing your own story about how you have improved your own mental health over time.
Mental health issues can impact work life in a multitude of ways. As a manager, you have the power to support your employees with their struggles while also continuing  your professional goals. Managers are the first link to employee success, and keeping note of this responsibility helps us understand our role in our team’s lives . Be aware, understanding, honest, and patient. Think critically about what you already do to support the mental health of your team and consider what practices you can incorporate moving forward.
Share below how your previous managers have handled mental health in the workplace. Do you have any good practices or lessons learned? Also, if you enjoyed what you read and would like to learn more about employee mental health, read this article on our blog.

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