At last Mental Health is being talked about

Simone Biles taught us all a lesson about mental health in the workplace.

The most significant show of determination at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was Simone Biles walking away from the competition to focus on her mental health.

The outpouring of support for Biles shows that people are taking mental health seriously and are here to talk about it.

By saying “no” and putting her own health above all else, Biles sparked a conversation about the weight of expectations and the demands we place on others.

How can business leaders and HR address feelings of burnout and employee well-being?

Many people who suffer from anxiety or depression have years of experience at faking wellness, especially in the office where performance and commitment are constantly measured. Business leaders who face similar pressures should speak openly about mental health—their struggles, treatment, what’s worked, and what hasn’t. Remember that it’s okay to model vulnerability.

Empower your people to speak up, advocate for themselves, and ask for what they need. In the workplace, those needs can range from better mental health benefits to parental care and PTO.

At the same time, business leaders can’t wait for employees to raise their hands and ask for help. Leaders and HR need to create work environments that stress the importance of work/life balance.

In a remote work environment, managers aren’t around to pick up on the signs of burnout and stress. If you are a manager, speak to more junior employees about mental health, ask them how they’re feeling, and recognize that burnout and anxiety are more common than you think.

As more companies adopt hybrid work strategies, which allow for flexible work hours and locations, more employees will benefit from the freedom to work the way they want to. Flexible scheduling gives people more time to focus on themselves so they can bring dedication and commitment to the job without feeling overextended. And as more leaders take a cue from Biles and open up about their own struggles with mental health, it can have a real impact on anyone who feels that they’re struggling alone or can’t ask for what they need.

The message for Leaders around the world is: Take care of your employees, take mental health seriously, and give your employees the flexibility to balance it all. Before they stand up and say “no.”

by Richard Wright