Supporting work colleagues through their mental health challenges
Two years or so ago, while the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing, I wrote a series of blogs about mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and the benefits of signing up to a Mental Health First Aid course. Back then, people from all walks of life were tackling new and unfamiliar challenges when it came to their work and the logistics around where, when and how it could be completed.
Many of us had to work from home, with meetings and interactions facilitated via video conferencing. This brought concerns around isolation and a loss of routine. Others were still obliged to travel to a different physical location to do their work. This was accompanied by worries around mixing with people outside the immediate household and the potential repercussions to physical health and contracting the virus.
In both circumstances, additional stresses and worries had an effect on a lot of people’s mental health and wellbeing. A US survey reported that a massive 75% of workers struggled at work due to anxiety related to the pandemic and other world events.[1]
As the restrictions eased and workplaces opened up again, people retained concerns about interacting with others once again – a key element of re-entering the workplace. A different survey from the UK mental health charity, Mind, revealed that 55% of the adults and young people polled said that they felt worried about seeing or being near other people, post-pandemic, at work and in social settings.[2].
Taking back control
Two years on, people are still reporting feeling anxious in the workplace and getting back to normal after such a long time spent in pandemic-related flux. A large part of this for many is, I suspect, the feeling of not being quite in control of everything that has been happening around us. The topic to taking back control has been a main focus of this year’s World Mental Health Day, which took place on 10 October[3].
The chosen theme for the global awareness event centred around making mental health a priority and asking ourselves how we can change the things that we can control about our lives, including when we are at work. For the wider population, this includes figuring out how we can help others take control of their mental health at work too. After all, ‘No man is an island’ (according to the English poet, John Donne)[4]. So, when a work colleague is struggling it will affect, and should raise concerns among, their team mates too.
Talk about it
Probably the most valuable thing you can do for a work colleague who is worried about their mental health is to offer them a listening ear. Let them know that you are available for them to talk to you about anything that is troubling them. Reassure them that you will listen without judgement and keep what they say confidential, unless they raise serious safety concerns that you need help dealing with yourself. In that case, let them know that you may need to talk, again in confidence, with your work place’s mental health specialist or HR. Reassure them that talking about their mental health is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it is an effective way to taking control of what they are feeling and doing something to improve their situation.
Physical fitness
Encourage your work colleague to look after themselves physically. The better and stronger we feel, the more likely we will be to be able to summon the energy and motivation to tackle challenges to our mental health. Staying physically active is a great way to do this, as exercise is said to release chemicals in the brain that make us feel good about ourselves. It can also provide mental stimulation if you need to learn the rules of a sport or game, remember the direction to go during a run or learn dance steps, aerobics routines etc. Even taking smaller steps towards getting fitter physically, such as walking all or part of the way to work, can make a big difference.
Good diet
Paired with the point above is reminding colleagues to eat well and healthily. Encourage your work colleague to take regular breaks, especially at lunchtime and to choose healthier options than simply grabbing a chocolate bar or bag of crisps at the desk. Show that you are following good habits wherever possible to help them follow your lead. Good advice to give is to choose a balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Regarding alcohol, if you are worried that a work colleague may be drinking too much, this could be something to raise and offer your support in helping them to cut down, if you feel it is appropriate to do so. The UK charity Al-Anon offers help and advice to people supporting a loved one, friend or colleague with issues around drinking alcohol and can be accessed at www.al-anonuk.org.uk.[5]
Time out
Another aspect of working life that causes a great deal of worry is the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to take a break. Another helpful thing that you can do for an overburdened work colleague is to try and persuade them to take a break. If you are their manager, you can help practically by arranging for someone to cover their role for a while or discuss with them how they can rearrange their workload temporarily to allow some time off or space to breathe. If you are their peer, you could discuss the subject with them and try to encourage them to approach their manager for help and advice.
Seek happiness
Finally, another good way to support work colleagues with their mental health is to encourage them to take charge of their own happiness in as many ways as possible. Help them identify what makes them happy and how they could achieve this more regularly. This could range from pursuing hobbies that they are good at in their spare time or seeking work opportunities that will provide fulfilment and learning to accept themselves just as they are. By showing them that you care about them as a person and want to help, you can raise their self-esteem, show them that they are valued and important and even encourage them to do the same for someone else at work when they feel stronger.[6]
Where to seek help
If you are supporting a work colleague with their mental health, please check out these helpful links to help the person you are supporting – as well as yourself.
https://giveusashout.org/get-help/
[1] Source: Mental Health And Remote Work: Survey Reveals 80% Of Workers Would Quit Their Jobs For This (forbes.com). Accessed 11 October 2022
[2] Source: What has the impact of the pandemic been on mental health? – Mind. Accessed 11 October 2022
[3] Source: World Mental Health Day 2022 – Mental Health UK (mentalhealth-uk.org). Accessed 11 October 2022
[4] Source: No Man Is an Island by John Donne – Famous poems, famous poets. – All Poetry. Accessed 11 October 2022
[5] Source: Al-Anon UK | For families & friends of alcoholics. Accessed 11 October 2022
[6] Source: How to support mental health at work | Mental Health Foundation. Accessed 11 October 2022
