Colleagues, employees and mental health in the workplace
Signs somebody in your workplace might me distressed and what you can do to help
As a small business owner, you may be in charge of up to 20 employees. Being responsible for the financial and workplace wellbeing of several people can be stressful. Understanding the signs of mental health concerns and how to talk about them in the workplace will help you better support the mental wellbeing of your staff.
Mental health issues can present differently for different people, and can also change from day to day depending how the person is feeling and what kind of support they have. The important thing to look for is a change in behaviour. Here are some signs to look out for in your staff:
While some of the behaviours listed above may create initial reactions of ‘lazy’ and ‘bad worker’, they may actually indicate mental health concerns. If you notice an employee showing these out-of-character behaviours for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to check-in.
Talking to someone about their mental health can be nerve-racking, but you need to remember you are there to offer support, not fix all their problems. Below are some tips on how to talk to an employee about their mental health.
While you are under no legal obligation to speak to your employees if you are concerned about their mental health and wellbeing, you do have other responsibilities in the workplace. Find out more on the Safe Work Australia small business website.
You can also have a look at the resource 'Creating a mentally healthy small business' for more information on how to reduce the psychological risk factors in your workplace.
Signs somebody in your workplace might me distressed and what you can do to help
Practical advice on how to help those with a mental illness in your workplace
A practical guide for manages on workers with mental illness
Information and resources from Mental Healthy Workplaces.
Taking care of your mental health is essential when you are helping someone else.
Find out how you can support mental health in your workplace.
Learn what mental health is (and isn’t), to reap the benefits in your business.
If you are a small business owner with staff, fostering a positive work and team environment is paramount in creating a mentally healthy small business.