Approximately 45% of Australians experience mental health issues at some point during their lifetime. The majority of workers successfully manage their illness without it impacting on their work, however some may require workplace support for a short period of time or even require ongoing workplace strategies. Recognising and promoting mental health is an essential part of creating a safe, supportive and healthy workplace.
Mental illness is often misunderstood and comes with a stigma which may lead to those affected being treated disrespectfully. Understand that if a colleague has confided in you that they have a mental health issue that it may have been difficult for them and it has taken a level of trust.
There are a number of ways that you can show your support and help your colleague on their road to recovery:
Listen
If the are confiding in you about their condition make sure you actually listen to what they are saying and be encouraging and supportive. Don't try to minimise the problem or make their mental health problem sound trivial – mental health conditions are often prolonged and difficult to cope with. Continue talking about their illness for as long as they feel comfortable and don't just change the subject. Always check whether they would prefer if you kept your knowledge of their condition to yourself and ask them to let you know if there is anything you can do to help.
Do your research
Take the time to learn about your colleague's condition, either through talking to them or through your own research. Understanding the basic facts, symptoms and how it affects them will help you appreciate what your colleague is going through. It makes a huge difference to those affected when others make the effort to understand and offer support.
Make sure they know that you are there for them
If someone is struggling with their mental health at work, be supportive and ask if there is anything you can do to help them remain at, or return to, work. Find out whether they have discussed with their manager or another colleague what the appropriate course of action should be and whether you can assist in any way. Avoid giving mental health advice (unless qualified to do so) but instead see if they have a contact number for their doctor or mental health service, or offer to let them know where they can get extra support.
Be inclusive
Unfortunately mental health issues often come with a stigma and the affected person may feel isolated, embarrassed or self-conscious. Make sure you include your colleague in meetings and work social events to support their recovery. Although it is important to be there to talk about their mental health issues if they need you, make sure this isn't your only topic of conversation. Their identity doesn't start and end with their mental health and involving them in other discussions like normal will remind them that they aren't defined by their illness.
Keep in touch
Ensure that you keep in touch if a colleague has taken some leave due to their mental health. Maintaining connections with colleagues will prevent them from feeling alone, make them feel valued and allow them to keep up to date with work if they wish to. It will also make their return to work easier for everyone involved. If you haven't remained in contact whilst a colleague has been away, don't avoid them on their return but also avoid prying into their personal business. Ask how they are doing and offer to fill them in on what has been happening whilst they were away.
Be patient
Recovering from a mental illness can be long and ongoing and often involve various setbacks. Make sure that your colleagues know that you are there for them and will support them in their recovery however long it takes.
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