While attitudes towards discussing mental health issues are changing, a survey of 3,500 employees found less than half (47%) would discuss their mental health issues with their manager. With depression, anxiety and substance abuse so common amongst Australian workers, it means line managers are potentially managing difficult issues without any prior knowledge of a worker’s mental health status.
How Do You Recognise The Signs Of Poor Mental Health?
The following information is not designed to make you a mental health expert. It is simply provided as a guide to assist you to start a conversation with a staff member. Indicators to look out for are:
Changing Behaviours
This includes things like:
– Arriving late to work more often than usual
– Decreased work outputs and productivity
– Changes in how they interact with other team members
– Increased absenteeism
– Moodiness
Changes In Appearance
This includes:
– Looking dishevelled if they usually took pride in their appearance
– Appearing tired or lacking energy
– Submitting messy work
– Rapid weight gain or loss
How To Start A Conversation?
After identifying changes in appearance and/or behaviours, it’s time to have a non-judgemental conversation with the staff member concerned. Remember, the above changes could be caused by a number of issues (e.g. a relationship breakup). So care needs to be taken to ensure the topic is introduced with sensitivity.
Ways to begin the conversation include:
– Using “I” statements e.g. “I have noticed you have been looking tired lately and I’m quite concerned.”
– Ask open-ended questions e.g. “Has anything changed for you outside of work?”
– If the worker provides information, be empathetic and use reflective listening skills before offering any help. Useful phrases include “What I’m hearing you say is …” or “Describe what that’s like for you”.
– If the worker asks for assistance, follow up with questions like “How can I support you in the workplace?”
Getting The Conversation Right
As concerned and sympathetic as you might be, some conversations are extremely difficult to have with a staff member. That’s where End2End Business Solutions can help. The team is highly experienced in handling sensitive situations and assisting you as you work through the next steps.
If you are spending too much time dealing with staff problems, call End2End for help on 02 8977 4002.