More people are realizing the importance of mental health at work these days, but that doesn’t make having that conversation any less stressful. The thing is, everyone has mental health and we all experience ups and downs with it, just like with our physical health. But bringing it up at work can be intimidating, so where do we start? Here are the dos and don’ts from psychologist Melissa Dorman, who literally wrote the book on the subject, “Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health At Work (Here’s Why And How To Do It Really Well).”
- Do know your purpose for having a mental health conversation at work. Understanding why you’re sharing, like maybe you want to leave early for a regular therapy appointment, can help you keep the talk on track.
- Do look for signs that your workplace is open to discussions about mental health. Dorman says green flags include seeing other employees talking about their own mental health and people sharing that they’re in therapy.
- Don’t ignore red flags that your workplace may not be a safe space for these talks. These include people feeling like they need to lie about mental health struggles and people making fun of mental health conditions.
- Do make sure you’re ready before starting the conversation. Ask yourself why you want to talk about this at work, who you want to share this with and why, and what you want this person to do with this information.
- Don’t worry you’ll have to share every detail about what you’re dealing with. You don’t need to go into depth about your symptoms or experience. Think of it like when you have the stomach flu and you can just say that without getting into all the gory details.
- Do be clear about your concerns. Dorman explains, “Having a fear of being judged for a mental health disclosure at work is very valid.” She says expressing your concerns, like not wanting the person to see you differently or share your info with others without your consent, can help.
Source: Buzzfeed