Helping your employees

talk about mental health

Being supportive through listening may be enough, but sometimes you need to provide practical support. Below is a list to help approach the subject of mental health.

• Don’t assume because someone has a mental health problem that they need to be off work and at home. Often this is the worst thing for them. One size doesn’t fit all, so be sure to talk through alternative options.
• Returning to work can be hard for individuals, both physically and emotionally. It’s important that you show sensitivity, be professional and provide the support needed for a smooth return. The Return to Work process is a vital element of managing absence and supporting your employees back to work.
• If there are performance issues, acknowledge them in a non-blaming way. Plan for how to support someone to overcome them in the immediate and longer term.
• Think about whether you can put any short-term adjustments in place to help the person manage their symptoms more effectively. Help them to feel that they are valued and that they can continue to make an ongoing contribution to the team and organisation.