As a society, we spend most of our adult lives at work, so it is essential that we feel supported, particularly as 1 in 6 people experience issues with their mental health in the workplace. Throughout a person’s lifetime, they are going to experience highs and lows, with some of those lows potentially affecting their mental wellbeing.
The importance of mental health in the workplace cannot be underestimated, and more companies are realising the need to make positive changes to support their employees. If you work in a management position and want to learn more about how you can better manage mental health in the workplace, then there is no better time to do it than on World Mental Health Day.
Below, we have highlighted the types of training you can undertake to create a better space for your employees, as well as how to recognise behaviours that indicate problems of mental health in the workplace.
How is Mental Health Defined?
Understandably, mental health covers a wide spectrum and cannot be pigeonholed into one area. Essentially, our mental wellbeing is made up of our emotional and psychological health, with social interactions, relationships, and working environments playing a significant role.
Our mentality determines how we manage stress, make life choices, and how we relate to other people. Through childhood, adolescence and adulthood, our mental health is essential to our quality of life.
Often, the terms ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’ are used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. A person can struggle with their mental health in the workplace regardless of a mental illness, which refers more to the enduring disorders people can experience.
How Do You Address Mental Health in the Workplace?
To properly address mental health in the workplace, UK companies should first be aware of the warning signs that may be displayed by their employees or colleagues. While there are some common behaviours, the signs of a mental health issue are not cut and dry. People display varying behaviours, which makes it difficult to spot warning signs early.
In most cases, a mental health issue is only identified once it has reached a point where it is significantly impacting the individual’s daily life. This fact makes it that much more important for you to know what to look out for when it comes to mental health and workplace life. You can only support your team effectively if you educate yourself on the matter.
Generally, an employee or colleague will be disinterested, quiet, and unable to engage effectively once their mental health problem has reached crisis point. However, this is not always the case for everyone, and these behaviours can also be a sign of other things, which makes it tricky to identify the cause.
However, the importance of mental health in the workplace cannot be ignored, so it is worth engaging in conversation if you feel that a colleague or employee is displaying the below behaviours:
- Making regular mistakes
- Becoming short-tempered
- Struggling with timekeeping
- Increased tiredness
- Preoccupied
- Procrastinating heavily
- Unexpected outbursts
- Sudden lack of motivation
To spot signs early on is important, particularly as you can step in to provide support before the issue turns into a crisis. Given how mental health in the workplace affects people differently, you should have a sensitive nature when approaching your colleague or employee. Ultimately, you are there to offer support, and it is their choice to take it.
What Adjustments Can be Made at Work for Mental Health?
Most companies have existing processes and policies in place to protect and support their employees, but it is worth reviewing them. The importance of mental health in the workplace is paramount, so companies should put measures in place to create a comfortable and safe environment for workers.
As a manager, part of your responsibilities is to implement simple, effective adjustments that help your team thrive without adding unnecessary stress. Practical changes you might choose to instil include:
- Flexible Working Patterns: Offering options for hybrid working, varied start and finish times, or compressed hours can help team members manage therapy appointments, balance personal responsibilities, or avoid stressful rush-hour commutes.
- Workload Redistribution & Task Management: Temporarily reallocating high-pressure tasks, breaking large projects into smaller steps, or setting clearer priorities helps prevent burnout and keeps workloads manageable during difficult patches.
- Workstation and Environmental Tweaks: Providing quiet workspaces away from heavy foot traffic, allowing noise-cancelling headphones, or encouraging regular movement breaks can significantly reduce sensory overload and anxiety.
- Agreed Action Plans & Wellness Action Plans (WAPs): Collaborating on an informal plan that outlines an employee's triggers, preferred communication styles, and warning signs ensures tailored support is readily available when needed.
- Open Support and Check-Ins: Establishing routine 1-to-1 catch-ups where mental wellbeing is invited into the conversation normalises speaking up before a situation escalates to a crisis.
Why is Mental Health Important in the Workplace?
Given how instrumental our mental health is in our behaviours and approaches to daily life, it is important that our wellbeing is looked after. For someone to perform at their highest level at work, they need to feel supported in all aspects.
By addressing mental health in the workplace, UK companies will have happier and more productive staff, as well as the following:
- Better engaged staff
- Enhanced communication
- Increased profits
- Loyal employees
Find Out More Today
Businesses across the UK are taking more responsibility when it comes to addressing mental health in the workplace, but there is always room for improvement. By implementing tried and trusted processes that create a comfortable environment for staff, they will get the support they need.
If you believe that your business would benefit from online courses that specialise in mental health, then learndirect can help. Get in touch with one of our Course Executives today by calling 01202 006 464 and we will discuss the solutions available to you. You can also contact us online with your enquiry or download our FREE mental health faculty brochure by clicking below.
