1. Not “Walking The Talk”

 

Building a culture of strong connection doesn’t come from posters around the office, and social media about mental health awareness. It comes from the leaders modeling open, transparent, and empathetic behavior and utilizing the tools available for them to come to work. Are you walking the talk in your workplace right now? Going beyond a simple “how are you” can make a big impact. Here are a couple of ways you can self-assess: 

• Do you talk about your own wellbeing/mental health practices? 
• Do you use the tools your company provides to improve your mental health and/or wellbeing? 
• Do you model health behaviors like getting enough sleep, eating a nutrient-dense diet, and being active? 
• Do you check in with your teams?

2. Not Asking For Feedback

 

Everyone is different and feels supported in different ways. Some team members might benefit from flexible work hours while others would prefer fewer meetings. Keeping the lines of communication open and having an open mind when it comes to modifying policies and procedures to best fit your team’s workflows is the perfect position to be in right now.

Asking your employees how they are feeling and taking suggestions is another great way to really show them you’re listening and care about them.

3. Not Communicating About Resources Available

 

Although paid time off, improved benefits, and other perks are great ways to boost morale, employees need more specific tools to ensure they are equipped to handle today’s workplace stressors. Tools that teach how to improve certain aspects of mental health (even better if they’re offered in the flow of work) are what are required in today’s environment. Providing an EAP is a great place to start but did you know EAP utilization averages below 10%? Mental health-specific programs that teach skills to improve resilience in your employees are a great addition to an EAP. By providing skill-building tools you are strengthening your team’s ability to show up strong and thrive at work…and at home too! Here are a couple of things to note when looking for tools to provide to your employees:

• Will they build the use of it into their daily routine? (quick enough to do daily) 
• Is it easy to access/understand? 
• Can I measure the impact? 

If you’re a leader wanting to incorporate mental health training into your team’s workflow but don’t know where to start, check out TEAM training on our website. headversity TEAM changes the game as an industry-first innovation that offers employers an unparalleled opportunity to reach their entire workforce, upskilling teams and individuals alike.