Wellbeing Champions At Work Can Break The Stigma Around Mental Health

A lot has been written about and personal experiences narrated. Influencers have opened up on the subject, a taboo until a few years ago. 

However, the stigma of mental health at our workplaces is still a reality that has been addressed at a slower pace. Even as we are seeing many workplaces adopting programs to normalize conversations on the subject and eliminate the stigma, a lot more needs to be done. 

We need to acknowledge that the stigma of mental health manifests in different ways at the workplace. And, addressing it is one of the first steps leaders could take in making their employees prioritize their mental wellbeing. 

The many colors of stigma 

Besides the social notions of mental health, we have an added set of beliefs and expectations at our workplaces, some of which contribute to the stigma of mental health. We are expected to perform and deliver at work. Our effort to always be ‘perfect’ and ‘outperformer’ in our work can be emotionally draining. Yet, talking about our emotional health issues can be detrimental to our chances of career growth.  

The stigma of mental health engulfs everyone at the workplace. Due to the stigma, the employee fears being ostracised and chooses to ‘hide’ their issues. A leader on the other hand is expected to demonstrate their stronger, super successful self, to their team members and, therefore, ignore their vulnerabilities.  

Stigma of mental health, in fact, has been so normalized in our day-to-day conversations that we seldom notice them and their adverse impact on those who are vulnerable. It takes an empathetic and trained mind to detect the signs of stigma and work towards eliminating it at our workplace.  

Leaders need to lead the way  

Stigma of mental health plays a crucial role in how our employees receive the mental wellbeing program. It’s no wonder that the global average usage of the employee assistance program is about 6%. There’s the fear of people getting to know about reaching out. Then there’s the self-stigma, our negative attitudes, that keep us away from seeking support.  

When the leadership opens up about the importance of mental health, shows they’re human, empowers employees with the right perspective and communicates that it’s essential to ask for help regardless of how big or small the issue is, the employees are encouraged. They slowly start trusting the organization and accept the helping hand the company lends. There is a lot of work to be done to make wellbeing a part of work but talking about it is the first step. 

Once this happens, the adoption rates of mental health programs skyrocket. Organizations that have done this report a 78% reduction in absenteeism, a 68% boost in wellbeing, and a 21% lower turnover.  

We need champions 

It’s time we decentralize these conversations and make them more personal and accessible to employees, more frequent and meaningful, so the chances of them opening up or seeking help improves. One of the best ways to make that happen is by encouraging mental wellbeing champions in the workplace – employees who advocate for mental health, are trained to offer emotional first-aid if they sense someone in distress and point them to the right resources.  

The idea of mental wellbeing champions is rooted in the fact that any solution to mental wellbeing should seek a mindset shift among the employees and that is possible when we create the right social environment.  

Anyone can become a mental wellbeing champion – regardless of qualifications, experience, age, or gender. All it takes is the willingness to help others. These champions should be trained and provided the right resources to bring about the change we seek among the employees.  

These champions are the go-to people for their co-workers when the latter get stuck in making a decision about their mental wellbeing. The champions are trained to hold conversations with colleagues and help them overcome their apprehensions and reach out for help. Endorsement and recognition of these champions by the leaders further encourage the employees to seek their help in making decisions. 

Through the training they go through and the change they catalyse in mental wellbeing, these champions acquire new skills and receive leadership recognition, making their role aspirational among co-workers. They play a crucial role in shifting the conversation from removing stigma to picking up new skills and creating advocates of mental wellbeing in the organisation.   

Mental wellbeing champions can be the torchbearers of eliminating the stigma of mental health at the workplace and help establish a culture of mental wellbeing among the employees. Through them, organisations can benefit immensely by communicating to the employees that the mental wellbeing program is not only for them but also by employees.