It’s not easy to deal with depression or mental illnesses. Most high-functioning patients do not even show their symptoms to friends, let alone at work. This results in many long-time employees performing below par or even suddenly quitting their positions. Show forward-thinking compassion through the following managerial choices to helping out workers out of their doldrums.
Do Your Research
There are different kinds of mental illnesses. No two people will easily share the same symptoms, the intensity of attacks, or even openness to deal with it publicly. The more you know about what the patients are going through, the easier it is to create lasting and positive solutions at the office. It will also help you in identifying those who might be in need of support even before the problem becomes too big to manage.
Hire a Psychiatrist
While you may gain an understanding of mental illness in the workplace, it’s a far cry from being an expert. While it may be costly at first, getting a doctor or psychiatrist to visit your company and speak to your employees about their condition is worth the investment. Not only can your people find solace in the psychiatrist’s or doctor’s understanding of their problems, but they can also find others who share their situation, giving them a sense of belonging. In return, the company won’t need to lose profit due to low-performance ratings, absenteeism and low retention percentages.
Offer Real Benefits
Some employees can develop depression by working in highly toxic or stressful environments. The work that is expected of them may sometimes exceed that of the real world benefits they receive. Share victories and expansions by giving them genuine rewards, such as hotel stays, restaurant nights, or chalet ski holidays for those that have performed at their optimal skill despite every obstacle.
As a leader, you may be able to identify who are susceptible to anxiety and depression in your teams. You may even realise that you’re going through the very same symptoms. Make the workplace a better environment by letting your employees know you care.