Five ways to help manage your team’s mental health

When your team experiences a tough shift or week at work, their mental health can suffer. They could be feeling down following a resident’s death, or workplace conflict might have increased their anxiety.

Now, above all else, your workplace needs to have mental health policies that are inclusive and supportive. Most likely, as a team leader and a manager, you’re responsible for maintaining a certain level of comfort and positivity.

There will be support in place, such as the Employee Assistance Program, so speak to your human resources team about what you should do when a staff member needs mental health support in the workplace.

That said, there are still meaningful ways for you to directly help staff struggling with their mental health. Whether being present for your team or providing a more flexible roster, you can use your position as a team leader to create positive outcomes. 

Check-in regularly

The best way to help your team is by regularly checking in with them and their mental health. You don’t have to be direct, such as asking ‘How’s your anxiety today?’ but go beyond a simple ‘How are you?’. If you can see how they talk and act on a good, bad or average day, you know what changes in behaviour mean.

Your check-ins can be formal or informal. It might be a meeting in your office or it could be a quick chat at the start or end of a shift. But by making yourself available you have regular opportunities to open up and staff will feel comfortable coming to you when they are struggling with mental health. 

Be understanding 

Mental health is not a one-size-fits-all situation. It truly is different for the 21% of Australians that currently have or have experienced a mental health disorder. Some staff may be dealing with anxiety, depression or panic attacks, while others could have bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Each team member may also have their own coping mechanisms or treatments, including medication management. They may or may not disclose all of this information at once, but what’s important is you recognise that everyone has different experiences with mental health. 

So you do have to be understanding when they open up to you or seek advice and support. Listen to their concerns and needs and take the time to give them answers that are personalised. It’s okay to do additional research – Beyond Blue or Black Dog Institute provide invaluable resources – as you’re not expected to be the expert. You’re just there to lead, be understanding and give meaningful support. 

Reduce workplace stressors

Aged care is an inherently stressful environment and there are stress factors that just cannot be removed. But if you have the option of relieving stress for anyone within your team, do it. It could be by providing more flexible work hours to give staff more family time at home, or it could be adjusting rosters to avoid workplace conflict between staff. 

At an organisational level, well-being days and mental health leave are great ways to promote a healthy work-life balance for staff. When someone is feeling overwhelmed they are supported by the choice to take time off for a mental health day and there’s no stigma surrounding it. 

In addition, talk to your staff. If there are specific factors contributing to their stress or anxiety, work together to create a plan that will help everyone. 

Use your lived experiences to help others

Leaders with lived experience in mental health can provide meaningful outcomes for teams and the organisation as a whole. Not only are you in a unique position where you can use your leadership skills to support staff directly, but you can work with relevant departments to strengthen workplace policies regarding mental health and well-being.

Much like the benefits of person-centred care for older people, consider how you can influence and enhance a person-centred approach to mental health support within your team and workplace. 

Provide positive experiences

If one team member has experienced a tough week at work, chances are everyone has within your team. So give them something to look forward to! This could take any form as everyone enjoys different things. For some, physical exercise helps them manage their mental health, while others just enjoy a non-work gathering where they can have casual conversations with colleagues.

Team bonding activities will be a great way to break up the routine, interact with each other off-site, and promote healthier relationships that’ll benefit everyone long term.