How to foster a mentally healthy workplace environment

October 10 marks World Mental Health Day with the theme ‘Mental Health at Work’. Whilst individuals must own their mental health, leaders play a vital role in shaping a mentally healthy workplace that influences people’s mental health for the better.

With close to half the Australian population expected to experience mental health challenges at some point in their lives, creating a mentally healthy workplace is critical.

A mentally healthy workplace is an environment that fosters belonging and trust-based relationships. Creating a space where individuals are valued for being their authentic selves. Where they can raise and debate issues without fear of consequences, leading to better productivity, problem-solving and outcomes.   

The three pillars of a mentally healthy workplace

To foster this environment, leaders must focus on three core interconnected areas: self, team and task. By taking practical steps in each area, leaders can contribute to improving health, engagement and outcomes in their organisation. 

Are you connected to yourself?

It all starts with you. You must be able to put your own oxygen mask on first. When you model self-awareness of your own mental health and take active steps to look after both your physical and mental health, it creates an environment where others feel able to do the same. 

Actions to connect to self:

• Tune into where your emotions, thoughts and energy levels are at any point in time. What is getting stuck in loops? When you are in loops, you aren’t as effective as a leader. Consciously choose actions to change the narrative in your head. For example: a walk/run around the block, journalling, a mantra; talking to a colleague to get a different perspective.
• Maintain good physical health, as it influences your mental health. 
• Create connections with others at work to foster your own sense of belonging.
• Intentionally help others (it will make you feel great).
• Remain curious and find ways to continue to learn about yourself.

Are you connected to your team? 

We are tribal by nature. We have a basic need as human beings to feel like we belong. Yes, it is important to get people connected to the vision of the company, but at the heart of getting this, is people first feeling seen for who they are.

Actions to create a connection to others:

• What do you have in common with people you work with, that has nothing to do with work? Find that common ground and use that to create a connection.
• Get everyone on the team to do the same, to create that ripple effect.
• Give regular specific positive feedback to enable people to feel valued. This means when you give constructive feedback, they will be more receptive.
• When providing feedback, tell the person exactly what they did that was great AND how it made you feel. This emotional vulnerability increases trust and safety.
• React to ‘failure’ as an opportunity to learn. Choose to give coaching feedback because you want to help them, not to get it off your chest.
• Help people to talk through differences to build trust.
• When someone is sick/struggling, stay connected to them.
• Help people get curious to foster learning.

Are you connected to the reality of the work?

Even with an engaging vision and supportive team environment, poorly designed work can undermine mental health. Take the time to understand the reality of what people are working with and make smart business decisions that enable them to work effectively. 

Actions to set the task up well:

• Match capability as well as capacity for each job.
• Set clear, measurable expectations for all roles with feedback mechanisms.
• Align organisational objectives, particularly where bonuses are concerned.
• Foster open, honest two-way communication, grounded in mutual care and respect, to solve the inevitable problems.

Start now

The term ‘mental health’ was whispered about in the past as a concerning issue that ‘some people’ had challenges with. Today, we recognise that everyone is at risk of poor mental health just as they are of physical illness. 

But it isn’t just the individual’s responsibility. Since work is such a large part of life, leaders have a role to play in creating an environment that fosters mental health.

It is all about those three pillars of self, team and task. Take your first steps in building these foundations today and the positive impact on your health, the health of your team and the organisation’s outcomes will follow. 

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