Ten Things You Can Do To Make Your Workplace Mentally Healthy
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Ten Things You Can Do To Make Your Workplace Mentally Healthy

Around one in five Australian employees is likely to be living with a mental health condition, which can affect their productivity at work and personal wellbeing.

For a small business with a team of ten, that means two people may need additional support in the workplace.

As a small business owner, you may feel you don’t have the resources or expertise to create a mentally healthy working environment, or support an employee with a mental health condition.

However, the costs of inaction – absenteeism, reduced productivity, high turnover and compensation claims – hit small businesses especially hard.

While small businesses may not have access to the resources available to larger organisations, their size provides other advantages. They are typically less bureaucratic, meaning decision-making and change can happen faster.

Small business owners tend to work closely with employees, providing regular opportunities to communicate and check in with people who may need support.

They’re often close-knit teams that look out for each other, and their size means that issues or problems are harder to hide.

Encourage an environment of dignity and respect so that employees can share any concerning behaviour at an early stage.

Getting started

The good news is that there are a number of simple, effective actions you can take to create a mentally healthy workplace and support your people. They don’t need to cost a lot, and by involving your employees you can both share responsibilities and increase their commitment to your business.
If you work for a small business, think about what would help promote good mental health in your workplace and how you can contribute. After all, improving workplace mental health is in everyone’s interest, and everyone has a role to play. The benefits are clear – mentally healthy businesses are positive, productive places where people want to work.

Priority Areas For Your Business

You can take action in three key areas:

  • Raise awareness of mental health conditions and reduce stigma
  • Support someone with a mental health condition
  • Create a positive working environment

The following ten ideas provide help for you to get started. For each key area, there are a number of actions you can take. These are just suggestions and will need to be adapted to your business needs.

Many of these actions are simply good business practice backed up by an increased understanding of workplace mental health. You don’t need to complete everything all at once – think about what you’re already doing, identify any gaps or areas for improvement and go from there. Remember, you can create a tailored, online action plan at any time.

For more information visit: www.headsup.org.au/actionplan

You can also check out Business in Mind, an online resource developed specifically for small businesses.

Visit www.headsup.org.au/bim for ideas, case studies and advice from other small business owners.

1. Increase awareness of mental health conditions

Actions: Make information about mental health conditions available in the workplace (e.g. place resources in lunch areas or on notice boards.)

Resources available:

Information resources

  • beyondblue Understanding depression and anxiety flyer
  • beyondblue Anxiety and depression: An information booklet
  • beyondblue Support Service wallet card

Websites and online resources


2. Increase awareness of people’s responsibilities relating to mental health

Actions: Provide staff with information about looking after their own mental health and their legal responsibilities relating to mental health.

Resources available:

Information resources

  • beyondblue Taking care of your mental health in the workplace brochure
  • beyondblue Taking action in the workplace wallet card

Training

3. Reduce stigma

Actions: Speak openly about mental health conditions in the workplace and encourage others to do the same.

Resources available:

4. Build the skills and confidence to approach someone who may be experiencing difficulties

Actions: Check how to have a conversation with a staff member who you may be concerned about and encourage staff to look out for each other.

Resources available:

  • Having a conversation, What would you do? and Business in Mind online resources www.beyondblue.org.au/workplaceonline

Training

5. Encourage staff with mental health conditions to seek treatment and support early

Actions: Tailor information about nearby support services and info lines to your needs.

Resources available:

Information resources

  • beyondblue Looking after your mental health in the workplace wallet card

Websites and online resources

6. Support staff with mental health conditions to stay at or return to work

Actions: Where necessary and in collaboration with your people, make changes to their role and/or working environment to enable them to fulfil their work duties.

This might include giving them time off to see a health professional, adjusting working hours, avoiding unnecessary shift changes and reallocating tasks.

Resources available:

Information resources

  • beyondblue Managing someone with a mental health condition fact sheet

Templates and plans

  • beyondblue Return to work/stay at work plan template
  • beyondblue Return to work/stay at work discussion plan template

Websites and online resources

7. Monitor and manage workloads

Actions: Encourage your people to speak up at an early stage and seek guidance.

Resources available:

Information resources

  • beyondblue Creating a mentally healthy workplace: A guide for business leaders and managers booklet

8. Increase input in how people do their work

Actions: Your people have direct insight and experience of achieving the tasks at hand – they can help. Listen to their ideas and feedback on how tasks are completed.

Resources available:

Information resources

  • beyondblue Creating a mentally healthy workplace: A guide for business leaders and managers booklet

9. Prevent bullying and discrimination

Actions: Encourage an environment of dignity and respect so that employees can share any concerning behaviour at an early stage.

Make it clear that you support open communication, and ensure you have processes and/or policies in place to deal with any issues.

Resources available:

Information resources

Websites and online resources

10. Provide regular performance feedback

Actions: Recognise whenever a task is done well and give constructive feedback on areas for improvement.

Resources available:

Information resources

  • Looking after your mental health in the workplace wallet card
  • Comcare Working together: Promoting mental health and wellbeing at work guide http://bit.ly/1oqPYmb

Websites and online resources

By beyondblue
Published with permission from beyondblue – www.beyondblue.org.au

 

Proteus Leadership is one of Australia’s premier leadership training and development companies. Proteus Leadership provides leadership courses and management training to a range of industries and assists organisations to build positive workplace cultures, implement change and Create Great Leaders. Proteus also facilitates a range of world-class management courses, workshops, conferences and events across Australia and beyond with the sole purpose of bringing leaders together to connect and grow.

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