Coronavirus: Leading With Mental Health in Mind
With NSW and the majority of Australia currently in Stage 3 lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis, many of us are starting to experience the effects of coronavirus (or COVID-19) on a more personal, day-to-day level.
While the proliferation of coronavirus has impacted the physical health of many individuals, the impact of coronavirus on an individual's mental health cannot be underestimated.
All employees (and indeed employers), regardless of their mental health history, will experience some sense of anxiety in the current climate.
It is more important than ever before, for employers and managers to lead with mental health at the forefront of their minds (pardon the pun).
While most large corporations will already have a mental health strategy in place, smaller businesses may be inexperienced in approaching the issue of mental health with their team members.
Leaders are the culture setters within organisations, and by adopting the following strategies, they can set the tone for open, honest reflection upon mental health.
A 2016 study conducted by MinsterEllison showed that managing mental health is not only the right thing to do to ensure the health and safety of your people, it also has an overwhelmingly positive impact on the overall success of the organisation.
Starting the conversation is the first step to building a workforce that is mentally resilient; one that is connected, emotionally intelligent and comes through a crisis as a more cohesive unit.
Address Concerns Head-On
Transparent leadership is one of the most critical elements in fostering a culture of trust between leaders and their employees.
The current pandemic may be raising a variety of concerns for your staff and now more than ever before, it is vital to address these concerns head-on.
Your team may be feeling anxious about a range of issues, including:
· The physical and mental wellbeing of themselves and their loved ones
· Their finances, job security and the general state of the economy
· Increased responsibilities within the household, particularly if they have school-aged children
· Feeling increasingly isolated as workplaces move to remote working and lockdowns mean limited social interaction
By acknowledging these concerns and the impact they may be having on mental health, you not only create a culture that breaks down the stigma of mental illness, but you also increase performance and productivity.
Be Vulnerable, Supportive and Model Healthy Behaviours
As a leader in your business, your employees will look to you for what is deemed appropriate behaviour at work.
Check-in with your team members regularly and give them the opportunity to air any concerns they are currently experiencing.
Don’t be afraid to share your own anxieties and mental health struggles and, more importantly, the resources you employ to look after your wellbeing.
If possible, look at offering remote meditation and yoga classes, and make sure you are practising alongside your colleagues.
You would be amazed at how bonding this can be for a team, even when you are not in the same room.
Most importantly, when somebody comes to you with a conversation about mental health, be supportive, listen actively and make sure not to diagnose them – after all, you are not a physician. Reassure the employee that you will notify HR and work together with HR and the employee on a plan moving forward.
Invest in Training For Your Senior Leaders
Perhaps most importantly, companies need to invest in mental health training for their senior leaders.
Despite the growing awareness of mental health issues in Australia, a study conducted by the Black Dog Institute only last year found that 50% of managers believed no-one in their workplace was affected.
Not only is this ill-informed, but it also demonstrates the inability of many managers to start the conversation with their staff around mental health and wellbeing.
‘The senior people in an organisation have a major role in setting the priorities for an organisation and for setting the culture as to where employee mental health sits in the hierarchy of concerns’ says Associate Professor Samuel Harvey.
Now more than ever, senior managers need thorough training in promoting and maintain a culture of mental health and wellbeing.
At Infinity HR, we advise and train companies on creating workplace cultures that help support mental health.
Book a free, confidential phone consultation with HR expert, Iolanda Hazell, Director and Founder of Infinity HR.
Call now on 0400 489 743.
National Crisis Support Helplines
Beyond Blue: 1800 512 348 - https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
Lifeline: 13 11 14 - https://www.lifeline.org.au/
References
Black Dog Institute: Workplace Wellbeing
Inside HR: Why mental health in the workplace in HR’s hot potato
HBR Org: Research: People Want Their Employers to Talk About Mental Health
Disclaimer
The information provided on our blog is designed to provide helpful information, and does not constitute legal advice, and not intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal advice in relation to any particular matter you or your organisation may have.