10th October is World Mental Health Day. This day aims to raise awareness of the importance of proactive support for ourselves and those around us who may be struggling with their mental health. It is not about giving support on one day only, but helping to provide tools that we can use 365 days a year to help each other.

I wanted to bring a few top tips from our world that can help in the way you support your team members or service users at work:

Awareness

Are you aware of your biases when it comes to mental health?

Building self-awareness of our own frame of reference makes us far better at supporting others at work as we can park any judgements and show up with curiosity instead.

Notice how you react when someone says they’re struggling:

  • Do you want to fix it straight away?
  • Do you assume they’re less capable?
  • Do you feel awkward?
  • Do you wish they’d gone to someone else?
  • Do you worry you won’t be able to help them?

I am often quick to try and offer solutions to people I know well and to those who talk more freely, whereas I find it easier to give space and listen to quieter colleagues I am less familiar with. Being aware of this double standard means I can make a conscious effort to give space to everyone who comes to me.

Top tip: replace the first reactive sentence with a simple open line: “Thank you for telling me — I’m here to listen.”

Communication 

Are you a fixer?

If a colleague shares that they’re struggling do you automatically jump to a solution or are you able to listen and give them space before responding?

Trying to problem solve and fix a problem is pretty natural for many of us, and it usually comes from a place of wanting to help and make things better for someone because we care.

Generally, what helps someone most in the moment is feeling heard, validated and connected to the person they shared with. There is enough pressure going on in life that the extra pressure of having to show resilience and problem solve straight away.

Top tip: replace the impulse to ‘fix’ with a validation and an open question e.g. “that sounds really tough. What do you think would help you right now?” or “it is understandable you are struggling with everything that is going on. Is there anything you feel I can help with?”

Taking Action 

Would you know where to signpost a colleague internally / externally if they were struggling with their mental health?

I am always amazed when I visit a new client and ask about the support available and they either don’t know or tell me there isn’t a helpline, for me to then see the details on the back of the toilet door…

It is so important to be aware of what help is available whether that is an EAP, online GP service, Mental Health First Aiders, HR guidance, Vocational Rehabilitation, local NHS/IAPT services, charities.

Top tip: Go a step further by finding out what the support involves, how you access it, what they will ask, what happens next and always check in with someone afterwards to see how they are. As a manager, you could even try calling helplines yourself so you can use a real life example to encourage others to do the same.