#BeThe1To: Help Improve Mental Health in the Workplace

Editor’s Note: Richard Parke, SVP of Supplier Services at Avetta, a global leader in supply chain risk management tools. Parke oversees registration, onboarding, compliance, customer support, and supplier retention. He and his team also develop and deliver new product and service offerings designed to create enhanced value. Parke holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.

September is national suicide prevention month, providing a time to reflect because one in every 100 deaths worldwide is the result of a suicide. Of the working population, the death by suicide rate is 18 per 100,000 population. However, among males in heavy industries, such as mining, oil and gas and construction, the suicide rate is much higher, as many as 54 per 100,000.

These numbers don’t mean as much until one of them is someone you know, like one of my co-workers, who died by suicide some years ago. Then it hits home, and you ask, “What can we all do to help those who struggle?”

With the pandemic, more help is required. Ginger, an on-demand mental health support platform company, surveyed workers’ mental health and discovered 99% of the workforce feels they are under at least some stress because of balancing work, home and the pandemic. We need to be more involved in our own and others’ mental health. As we learn more about how to help others, we may, as suggested by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, #BeThe1To save a life. Here are some thoughts on what individuals, leaders and companies can do to improve our collective mental health and reduce stress in the workplace.

Individuals

Each of us can take steps to help improve each other’s mental health. Because many workplaces have moved to remote work, and many warehouses and factories have adjusted shifts, limited gathering areas and created social distancing on the floor, we have less opportunity to connect with each other. That means we need to be more observant, more involved and more proactive in caring for each other’s well-being.

Neil Shah is the founder of International Wellbeing Insights, Chief De-Stressing Officer of The Stress Management Society and an Avetta advisor. He offers these tips for individuals to help connect at workplaces.

1.) Ask a second question
We all have our questions to greet people, “What’s up?” or “How are you?” Or something similar. Most of us give our default responses. For me, I say, “So far, so good.”

In the UK, the Time to Change mental health campaign emphasized asking a second question, especially if we think the person is not doing well. We can even repeat the same question. By asking a second question, we can show that 1) we are really interested in someone’s well-being and we are there for someone if they want to talk.

2.) Learn empathy
Empathy is about putting yourself in somebody else’s shoes. It’s much easier to have empathy if you’ve experienced something they’ve experienced. But what if you haven’t? Shah emphasizes that rather than assuming what somebody else is experiencing, you can learn more about someone else’s pain by asking questions. Engaging in conversation shows you are interested in understanding their experience. It also encourages them to share and to make them feel safe. It’s important when we listen to their answers, we listen without judgment.

3.) Share your experiences
Be willing to share your experiences. Be willing to talk openly, and that in turn gives people license and freedom to do the same. Sharing your background helps people to be able to create a connection with you and your story—it creates an environment of authenticity among your co-workers.

Leaders

Leaders have a duplicate responsibility, both as individuals and managers of other employees and teams. Leaders must create a good support system for employees to reduce stress and improve mental health at work.

First, it’s critical to implement the suggestions for individuals listed above.

Leaders also need to create the right environment for mental health improvement within their teams and across teams. Creating the right environment may require new skills or management styles. Developing a consultative approach improves the setting for mental health outcomes. A consultative approach involves team members in decision-making, especially in the areas that impact them. The consultative approach is more collaborative. It also fosters an open and inclusive culture that improves mental health.

Companies

Companies may have the most critical part in reducing stress on their employees and creating better mental health. An improved program starts with regularly offering group meetings and forums where workers can discuss mental health concerns openly. For more confidential matters, the HR team can establish and promote an open-door policy to discuss challenges employees have more discretely.

Employers should also create avenues for listening. Some of this feedback can be received during group meetings. But organizations shouldn’t forget about the value of soliciting confidential feedback through surveys. Anonymous data gathered from a broad range of employees help the company obtain a more comprehensive view of the health of the workforce, and the workplace issues that are impacting employee stress.

Finally, include mental health benefits with existing health plans. Companies can work with their insurance provider to add more benefits that provide help with challenges and proactively promote positive mental health. Employers can also track the use of various programs to see any barriers to care or services.

At each company, the CEO and executive management must support mental health programs and the workplace culture of support. The culture of openness with mental health permeates throughout the organization with that backing.

An organization’s investment in mental health is not a cost center; it’s a productivity and economic booster. The World Health Organization says for every $1 spent caring for people with mental health issues, $4 is returned to the economy.

We’ve all come through a challenging season, and we know more challenges for the workplace are ahead. This month gives us a chance to reflect on our mental health and how we can support others, whether as individuals, leaders or organizations, so we can reverse the suicide rate trends. Please take the time to make improvements, and you may #BeThe1To help someone.

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