HR professionals are faced with a lot of tough situations during the course of their careers. One such challenge could be learning that an employee is struggling with mental health issues. As a HR professional, there are steps you can take to ensure mental health initiatives are implemented and upheld by the business.
Increase Awareness
Despite the UK seeing huge progress in recent years, talking openly about mental health can still be difficult, and some industries are more accepting than others. Talking about mental ill-health plays a major role in helping to reduce the stigma, so staff feel more able to speak out when they are struggling. The first thing that HR departments should do to help employees struggling with their mental health is to educate themselves and the workforce at large. Most of the stigma around mental health exists because of misunderstandings, misrepresentation, and misinformation. This stigma makes it very difficult for people to ask for help.
Provide Resources
Even though you can teach people a lot about mental health, it is important to recognise that only experts can treat and diagnose mental health disorders. What an HR department can do, however, is provide the right resources to employees. Employee assistance programs (EAPs) can train management on the best approaches when it becomes clear that someone on their team is struggling with their mental health. They also give telephone consultations and referrals, and can help to start your employees off in the right direction.
Be Empathetic
It is very difficult for someone who has not experienced mental health issues to understand what it is like. And even if you have, experiences vary greatly. One of the best things you can do is to let someone know that you understand that they are struggling and want to help. Having someone to talk to is extremely beneficial to people in this position, especially if they are scared of repercussions. Treat people who struggle with their mental health with understanding and empathy. Try to find solutions to their problems if you can, or just lend an ear if that is what they need.
Return to Work Programs
Return to Work programs are a great way to ease someone back into their routine if they have had to take some time for their health. Allowing for personalised work hours, the option to work from home, and other flexible working options can make a positive impact on the employee’s productivity.
You cannot solve everyone’s mental health issues, but HR professionals are in a unique position to help someone on their healing journey. Be a support system and help them to take the next steps, all while creating an environment in which they can seek help. It could make all the difference.
If you have any questions on any of the above, please get in touch with the office: sally.phillips@wardwilliams.co.uk or call 01932 830664.