Everyone plays a role in workplace mental health. What’s yours?

By making mental health a top priority, managers and employees have the power to cultivate a workplace environment that fosters well-being, leading to enhanced engagement, heightened productivity and improved collaboration. By using the appropriate strategies and a compassionate approach, your team can proactively establish a culture of positivity, inclusivity and efficiency within the workplace.

Mind matters: Why taking care of yourself leads to greater success

It can be easy to overlook mental health amidst deadlines, targets and responsibilities. However, taking the time to prioritize your mental well-being is crucial not only for personal growth and happiness but also for professional success.

Improved resilience and stress management: Self-care techniques such as mindfulness and exercise enhance resilience, making you better equipped to handle workplace challenges.

Clearer Focus and Productivity: Mental health influences cognitive abilities such as concentration, memory and problem-solving skills.

Increased creativity and innovation: Taking care of your mental well-being allows for clearer thinking, a fresh perspective and the ability to approach challenges with an open mind.

Strengthened interpersonal relationships: By nurturing mental health, you can improve your emotional intelligence, leading to healthier relationships with supervisors, peers and subordinates.

Increased overall happiness: A healthy work-life balance, meaningful connections and self-reflection all contribute to a happier and more fulfilled personal and professional life.

Is your manager adding to your mental health challenges?

While managers are responsible for creating a positive and supportive work environment, sometimes, they fall short. If you have a manager who is negatively impacting your mental health, there are some steps you can take to address the issue:

• Start by identifying the specific behaviors or actions that are affecting your mental health. Is it their communication style? Are they overloading you with work?
• Consider talking to someone you trust about the situation. This could be a colleague, human resources representative or a mental health professional. They may be able to provide you with additional perspective and support.
• If you feel comfortable, talk to your manager about how you're feeling. Be specific about the behaviors or actions that are impacting your mental health. Try to approach the conversation from a place of mutual respect and understanding.
• While you work on addressing the situation, it's essential to develop coping strategies that can help you manage your mental health. This could include practicing self-care, seeking support from friends or family or speaking with a mental health professional.

Are you a manager or leader within your organization?

If so, you play a key role in creating a culture of positive mental health and well-being.

Managers play a critical role in creating a culture of wellness in the workplace, particularly when it comes to mental health. It’s important for managers to remember that investing in mental well-being ultimately leads to increased employee engagement, job satisfaction and productivity. Here are some key steps managers can take to help create and maintain a mentally healthy work environment:

• Lead by example: Prioritize your own mental well-being by engaging in wellness activities and sharing tips and strategies with your team.
• Foster open communication: Encourage conversations about mental health and show support for employees who may be struggling.
• Provide flexibility: Offer flexible work arrangements to help reduce stress and improve work-life balance for employees.
• Promote self-care: Encourage employees to take breaks, practice mindfulness and seek support when needed.
• Provide resources: Make sure employees have access to mental health resources, including counseling or employee assistance programs.
• Show appreciation: Recognize and appreciate employees who prioritize their mental health and show support for their efforts.

Four key pillars to managerial success and employee happiness

Managers play a crucial role in employees' lives, and their dedication to employee well-being is vital for success. However, managers often feel unsure about their role in promoting well-being. Here are four pillars managers can establish to significantly enhance employee well-being while maintaining strong manager-employee relationships, ultimately ensuring sustainable long-term success for organizations.

Authenticity
Showing genuine care for employees helps establish trust and builds stronger manager-employee relationships. And when employees feel supported and valued, they are more productive, engaged and willing to go above and beyond in their work.

Inclusivity
By creating an atmosphere of acceptance and celebration, managers encourage employees to take ownership and participate in well-being activities that align with their preferences.

Influence
Managers set the tone for workplace culture. When managers model well-being practices, it fosters employee participation and buy in.

Empowerment
Managers can empower employees to take control of their well-being by providing resources and support for self-care practices. This can include offering wellness programs, flexible work arrangements and access to mental health resources.

BCBSND’s Learn to Live’s Resilience program provides you with strategies to recognize stressors so you can take actionable steps toward creating a positive mindset and work culture. Visit the website or download our app (use the code BLUEND to get started). If you’re already a member, log into your account to continue or start a new program.

This program is included in your health plan and offered to all employees and family members (ages 13+) at no cost!

Sources: Gallup, Forbes, American Psychological Association

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