According to a survey conducted by Headspace Health, 97% of Australian CEOs think they do enough to support mental health in the workplace – but only 66% of employees feel that way. That’s a troublesome discrepancy, don’t you think? 

The last two years have highlighted mental health as a significant workplace risk, and the importance of awareness, and taking steps to implement initiatives that helps to build trust and encourages openness so that workers aren’t afraid of judgement or potential discrimination. 

What does your company have in place? 

Here are a few key tips that you can implement today! 

• Have an open conversation during check-ins 

One-on-one catch ups and development meetings are always great opportunities to check in on your staff and their mental health. Don’t be afraid to enquire how they’re doing in a broader sense, but also be prepared to listen and ensure they’re heard. It takes a lot for an employee to open up about such personal topics, so it’s imperative that you actively listen and respect that vulnerability. 

After these conversations, make sure you follow up with them and let them know that you’re there for support. Mental health issues can come around at any time, so it’s best to check in regularly. 

• Promote healthy culture around taking leave 

Even with so much information and publicity surrounding physical and mental health, it’s still quite common for some people to feel guilty when taking leave, particularly sick leave. This may be due to workload or not having colleagues to transition work to. Not taking regular leave to rest and recharge can lead to burnout. 

Business leaders need to consider reframing the narrative surrounding leave, actively encouraging regular time off, and consider extending project or work timeframes whilst balancing the needs of the business to allow people to take regular.