Communication Surrounding Mental Health in the Office

Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash

Everyone has those days; the days that are a little harder to get up and out of bed, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, or burnt out from work. We aren’t robots. No matter how much you love your job, you may need a break every once in a while. Whether you’re going through something that’s affecting your mental health, or you’re having a bad day and need to decompress, always communicate with your team. 

Opening the door to honest communication with your employer is important for a healthy working relationship with your boss, as well as your team. The stigma surrounding mental health makes it feel impossible to address your mental state with your employer, even when it begins to affect your work. 

The following are some tips to help alleviate the stress of the question, “Where do I begin?”

Start with HR. 

It can be intimidating going straight to your boss, especially if you aren’t sure what you should say, or how they’ll react. Schedule a meeting with your Human Resources Manager and talk through how you should proceed. It can be a good way to gather your thoughts and get insight from someone at your company. 

Checking in with HR can be beneficial to learn what accommodations and benefits your employer offers - see if your company offers mental health coverage under their health care plan or if they use any programs for mental health counseling. 

Ask for what you need. 

When you speak with your supervisor or team, be honest about what you need. Whether it’s time off, cutting hours, leaving in the middle of the day for therapy appointments, or switching to remote work; don’t be afraid to discuss your vision for your work life. Only you know how you’re feeling and what you need in order to be most productive at work. 

Be patient.

Accept that the situation might not be resolved in a single meeting. Supervisors may need time to explore different approaches with their bosses, or your company may need to look into what resources are available. Speaking up the first time is the first step but know that you will likely need to continue the conversation over time. Don’t be afraid to continue to advocate for yourself. 

So, if your work has you feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or depressed, reach out now to get the help you need. Opening the door to honest communication is a great step towards maintaining a healthy relationship at work and in life.