How to Support Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental health is a critical aspect of our well-being, and because many of us spend a significant part of our day at work, advocating for mental wellness in the workplace is so important. Many organizations are realizing this and beginning to implement strategies to support mental health at work to ensure their employees are thriving and not suffering from excessive stress or burnout. Prioritizing mental health in the workplace place also promotes team member satisfaction, productivity, and longevity – those who are happy at work, excel at work.

“Mental health cannot be separated from physical health,” said Alexis Totaro, MSN, RN, WHNP-c, CARN-AP, Vice President/Administrator of Mental Health Services – Chief Nurse Executive at Christian Health. “One affects the other.”

Whether you’re a leader or an employee, everyone plays a role in creating a supportive work environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and safe.

Lead by example in promoting a work-life balance

One of the most important ways to support mental health professionally is to model and promote a healthy work-life balance. As a leader, this means allowing your team members to be flexible in their hours when possible and encouraging them to use paid time off as needed. Leaders should also make sure they’re taking their breaks and using their vacation time, which will empower their team to do the same. Leading by example sends a powerful message that mental health is valued and prioritized within the organization.

“Role-modeling a work-life balance means being able to say, ‘I’m going home early or coming in late for whatever reason’ and not disturbing people during their off time unless there's an emergency,” said Alexis. “We’re tied to work, and that’s not good. You really have to allow people their downtime.”

As an employee, you can also set an example to your colleagues by prioritizing your own well-being and respecting theirs. Communicate your needs, like setting your boundaries for after-hours communication or establishing realistic expectations for your deadlines and workload.

Foster a safe, collaborative environment

Team members feel most fulfilled in their work when they can trust and depend on their colleagues. If someone is struggling to keep up with their work because of their mental health, a supportive team will make them feel safe to voice their concerns or ask for help.

“It’s important to really know your employees as a leader, extend empathy and kindness, and allow them the time they need if they're struggling with something,” said Alexis.

Leaders can cultivate a collaborative, trusting work culture by encouraging open communication with their team and frequently asking for feedback. Employees should feel empowered to share their thoughts, ask for help when needed, and discuss any challenges with their leader or colleagues without fear of stigma or conflict. Implementing regular team check-ins and more collaborative projects and team-building activities can help enhance trust and camaraderie, foster connections between team members, and reduce stress at work.

Promote and practice wellness culture

Practicing a culture of wellness means fostering a work environment that encourages the physical and mental well-being of your employees and colleagues. Implementing, supporting, and practicing ways to be healthier in the workplace can also lead to healthier habits in our personal lives, alleviating stress and contributing to a more peaceful state of mind at work.

Leaders can help facilitate a healthy work environment by providing access to health-related resources, such as mental health workshops and counseling services, meditation sessions, health seminars, an on-site gym or yoga studio, or healthy on-site food options. Leaders and team members alike can help promote wellness at work by making it a daily part of the team’s routine – organize a lunch break walking club, create a tranquil area in the workspace for meditation, or start each day with a team mindfulness mantra or breathing exercise.

Respect and set boundaries

Respecting boundaries is essential for maintaining mental health in all aspects of your life, but work is a place where we often feel obligated to push ourselves past our limits. Leaders can support healthy boundaries at work by establishing clear policies for work-life separation, such as scheduling emails to be sent during work hours, encouraging flexible schedules, and ensuring their team members have a sustainable workload to prevent burnout.

Employees should always be proactive about setting and clearly communicating their boundaries, such as being unwilling to respond to a non-urgent after-hours email, to take on extra work without compensation, or to work excessive or unpaid overtime. After communicating your boundaries, it’s always important to stick to them to advocate for yourself and a healthier work atmosphere.

How to Nurture Your Own Mental Health – On and Off the Clock

When you prioritize your mental wellness in your daily life, you will be more likely to be focused, productive, and satisfied at work and less likely to experience extreme stress and burnout.

• Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep is imperative for good physical and mental health. While busy schedules and endless responsibilities can often make it feel impossible to get eight hours every night, take measures to get as much interrupted sleep as possible, such as turning off all screens after getting into bed or implementing a relaxing wind-down routine before bed.
• Practice self-care: Taking care of your mental wellness means making room in your life for things that relax you, allow you to be expressive, or bring you joy, such as going to see a movie, reading a good book, practicing yoga, playing an instrument, journaling, painting, or meditating.
• Consider treatment: If you are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or another mental health issue that is significantly affecting your ability to function in your daily life, you may benefit from mental health treatment. Counseling, medication, and group therapy can help you manage your symptoms so you can get back on track to wellness.

How LiveWell Counseling Can Help

From your first appointment at LiveWell, our therapeutic counseling center, you’ll receive personalized, compassionate care, customized to treat your individual symptoms. To learn more about how LiveWell can help you, please call (201) 848-5800 or visit ChristianHealthNJ.info/LiveWell.