Information for managers

What a manager can do to support someone who may be experiencing a mental health problem:

• Take time to talk to the person privately: Ask them if something is wrong but take your steer from them
• Be honest in assessing the employee’s recent performance
• Don’t make assumptions on what someone can and can’t do.
• Ask the person what would help them at work: Find out what reasonable accommodation means and what the law says.
• Treat them with respect (in the language you use and the attention you give to them) and act as a model to encourage other colleagues to do the same.
• Be aware that changes, restructuring or the risk of redundancy can be particularly difficult.
• Suggest that the individual asks for advice from their occupational health advisor or contact any support services the organisation uses e.g. the company’s Employee Assistance Programme
• Keep the dialogue going (even is a person is on sick leave)

See Change workshops for line managers
Once organisations have committed to completing the six step pledge programme, See Change can offer our “Mental health in the workplace” workshops to line managers. The half-day (3-hour session) workshop provides information on mental health and mental health problems for employers, managers and employees as well as offering best practise advice on creating workplaces that are free of stigma and discrimination and equipped to support the mental health needs of the organisation.

These workshops are delivered by two fully trained workshop facilitators, one of whom will speak about their personal experience of having a mental health problem and their recovery journey.

The workshops are funded by the National Office for Suicide Prevention and covers the cost of the trainers and their expenses thus enabling See Change to provide this excellent training package free of charge to organisations.

Topics covered during the workshop:

• Introduction to mental health, mental health problems and how they relate to the workplace context followed by an opportunity to discuss the myths that surround mental health problems and Irish attitudes to mental health.
• Attendees will benefit from the expertise and personal insight of a workshop facilitator who will share the story of their own mental health journey, from being the subject of stigma in the workplace and the wider community to now creating strategies to support mental health needs.
• Advice on how best to support an employee who is experiencing a difficulty with their mental health through information on relevant equality legislation, resources available, examples of reasonable accommodation, recommendations on responding to a crisis and simply starting a conversation about mental health in the workplace.
• Discussion on creating a culture that is open to and supportive of the mental health needs of an organisation.

Start your conversation
You don’t have to be an expert to start talking about mental health or have all the answers. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is to let a colleague know that you are there for them and simply listen.

• Talk, but listen too: Simply being there will mean a lot.
• Take your lead from the person: As a first step, ask how best you can help.
• Don’t just talk about mental health: Chat about everyday things as well.
• Remind them you care: Small things can make a big difference.
• One to ones: Go for coffee and ask someone how they are doing or even send an email.
• Look out for changes: if someone is not quite themselves
• Be informed: Check out our Workplace Resources page for details of where you can find further information and supports available.
• Avoid the clichés: Phrases like ‘Cheer up’, ‘I’m sure it will pass’ and ‘Pull yourself together’ definitely won’t help – Being open minded, non-judgemental and listening will.