I was so encouraged to watch the @headstogether clip of the Duke of Cambridge speaking on the matter of mental health at a recent Workplace Well-being Conference.
He used the phrase, ‘if you are able to talk about something you often have less reason to fear it’.
It is so true.
Starting to have an open dialogue around the stresses and strains of normal life can diminish its power. Normalising the difficulties can ensure that we are not left isolated, alone with our concerns.
We glibly use the term mental illness when we are talking about someone struggling with life. But would happen if we set our fear aside, and just asked if all is okay?
It does not necessarily mean a can of worm will be opened, which is often our greatest fear.
How can HR change the way they respond to mental health?
It was sobering to hear The Duke of Cambridge quote a statistic from Heads Together data: only 2% of people would be happy to talk to their HR department.
There is a well-known saying that states ‘take the plank out of your own eye before trying to remove the speck from someone else’.
In other words, we need to look at how we can suspend judgement and accept, rather than create an atmosphere of shame and fear.
Become informed.
To allay the fears of employees we must address the elephant in the room.
The World Health Organisation states:
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
So mental health is part of the whole – body AND mind. That is why doctors will often suggest that someone suffering with depression or stress and anxiety, attends a gym.
So:
- Why not run a workshop on mental wellbeing?
- A workshop examining the affects of stress?
- Build understanding about work/life balance?
- How they can deal with https://www.headstogether.org.uk/overwhelm?
- Provide some solutions that are available to staff, to remove the stigma?
There is a lot of talk about well-being these days.
Still the statistic stands; only 2% seek support in HR.
To find out how I can help you and your organisation please get in touch. www.thebespokecoach.com