The world is on fire; whether hurricanes, wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famine on the horizon, stock market, the devaluation of the US dollar, elections, police abuse, mortgage payments, debt, or deteriorating health of you or a loved one, the issues are ongoing. For many, it feels like a marathon on a wheel that does not stop. Unfortunately, many forget to jump off or stop the apparatus's rotation, which makes it spin. As leaders, we must be mindful of what our employees and clients are going through and approach each situation with empathy—one way to avert any mental health explosions on the job. On a Wellness Wednesday, CPR offers what behaviors might be a sign of mental health challenges, as well as some tips to assist how you handle the situations.
As a leader, you must be cognizant of when your employees become disruptive. According to the Mental Health Foundation, common mental illnesses include:
Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder, etc.)
Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc.)
Anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, etc.).
A layperson can easily misdiagnose the mood swings or anxiety disorders of employees. Research indicates anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness, affecting an estimated 48 million people in the U.S. Symptoms may vary depending on the type of mental illness one is struggling with. Some common symptoms associated with many types of mental illness include:
Insomnia
Agitation
Loss of appetite
Social withdrawal
Emotional numbness
Inability to concentrate
Excessive fear and worry
Self-harm
The above provided some examples of what to look for. Be sure to monitor if there are any changes with your employees. In addition, as a leader, you are responsible for your work environment. Be sure to foster a healthy work climate that can accommodate your team. A toxic culture can only exacerbate a problem that may heighten a situation. So, demonstrate kindness, gentleness, and empathy to all staff. Some tips for cultivating a positive and creative mood include music, team power walks or runs after the work day, power naps, frequent check-ins, or time off to handle personal affairs. It's worth repeating; kindness is free.
This is an excellent time to implement a wellness day if you have not implemented a Wellness Wednesday. For assistance, please reach out to CPR LLC via email at workclimate@cprllcservices.com.
Warm Regards,
CeeCee