How To: Making mental health negotiable at work

Why is it so important to make mental health open to discussion at work?

Mental health in the workplace is an important, but often forgotten, topic. Research shows that many people do not discuss their mental problems with their employer, while the consequences of this can be enormous. Think of burnouts, absenteeism and high costs for employers. But how do you discuss this topic? In this blog we provide practical tips to discuss and improve mental health in the workplace. From regular one-on-one conversations to organizing walks with the team. Because prevention is better than cure!

Mental health in numbers

Recent research from the Indeed vacancy platform shows that only 1 in 3 people discusses his/her mental problems with the employer. This is striking, because 1 in 5 people indicate that they suffer from mental complaints. You can bet how many colleagues this is in your workplace! If those figures are not convincing enough to make mental health negotiable at work, we would like to make you aware of the price tag here. Did you know that a mentally ill employee costs an employer an average of €1,340 per employee every year? An average burnout can even cost an employer €90,000.

Consequences of mental problems

If mental problems are not addressed in time, this can lead to the employee stopping work. This is a great shame, because apart from burnout, work can make a positive contribution to mental health. Work brings rhythm, structure and social contact. Timely intervention is therefore very important for the well-being of the employee. It is also important for employers to invest in a sustainable relationship. Finding a new employee is easier said than done. It is therefore important to invest in a sustainable relationship, where both the employee and employer are happy.

How do you discuss mental health at work?

Mental health is not a topic you just broach at the coffee maker. It is therefore important to think carefully in advance and determine the right way to tackle this. Some possibilities are:

• Have regular one-on-one conversations: These types of conversations lower the threshold for employees. They do not have to take the first step themselves.

• Play a game: Discussing difficult topics can also be done through an interactive game together with colleagues. The Great Conversations card game can be requested for free for companies and specially made for this subject.

• Organise a training: Do you find it difficult to throw the ball yourself? Then let an experienced agency do it for you. There are numerous organizations that conducted on-site training on mental health. Take a look around Google and find a workout near you.

• Offer concrete (personal) development: a By offering employees the opportunity to work on themselves and their (mental) health, you make discussing problems more accessible. You show that there is room for this! A good example is the platform GoodHabitz, where employees can use 150+ training courses for their own personal development.

• Pay attention to a confidential counsellor: Is there a confidential counselor within the company and does everyone know about his/her existence? Make making contact as easy as possible to encourage employees to use it.

• Invite a speaker to: A speaker who comes to talk about his/her past or the process of recovery motivates others to also talk about their problems.

• Talk about things that take place outside work: Ask about interests and hobbies outside of work and grow closer to each other. The better you know each other, the easier it becomes for employees to open up!

Keep in mind that just one of the options above won't get you there yet. Mental health is a topic that will always come back and that always needs to be worked on. That's why the power of repetition is so important! Work on a good relationship with each other and ensure open and transparent lines of communication.