Leading for Wellness: How Managers Can Positively Impact Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental health in the workplace has become an important topic of conversation in human resources, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic and the mental health challenges it brought to the forefront. We have all worked over the past few years to learn more about how to support mental health in the workplace and address any challenges before they impact the professional and personal lives of staff. 

The Workforce Institute at UKG surveyed 3,400 people across 10 countries to identify what is most impacting our mental health inside and outside of the workplace. 

Key insights from the study revealed that managers impact employees’ mental health (69%) more than doctors (51%) or therapists (41%) — and even the same as a spouse or partner (69%). That’s a big responsibility for managers when coping with and supporting mental health in the workplace.

Ideas and Actions

So how can managers (and employees) work to ensure everyone’s mental health is protected and the employees and business thrive equally? Some actions and ideas could include:

• Role modeling by managers to encourage wellbeing. Identify healthy attitudes and activities like exercise, healthy eating and other wellness programs.
• Conduct regular check-ins to assess mental health and address concerns.
• Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and recognize the unique challenges faced by different individuals.
• Promote the adoption of a healthy work-life balance, by encouraging reasonable work hours and time off.
• Be flexible when considering work arrangements such as remote work options or flexible schedules. 
• Provide access to mental health resources such as Employee Assistance Programs, counselling etc.
• Conduct awareness campaigns to elevate the discussion about mental health challenges.
• Provide relevant training for managers to help them recognize the signs of mental health issues.
• Create a supportive work environment that allows for open communication, recognizes and appreciates employees, and involves them in the decision making process.

Where to Start?

For managers, accessing the resources you need to engage with and support employees’ mental health in the workplace can be intimidating at first. Here are three things you can do to get started in supporting mental health in the workplace:

1. OHTO has provided members with access to a limited number of free spots in Not 9 to 5’s CNECTed Certification Course. The CNECTed course includes five modules on understanding mental health, stress & trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance use. It offers tools that you can start using right away to help guide yourself or others toward improving workplace mental health. To take advantage of this valuable resource, contact membership@ohto.ca to fill a spot. Note:  Once you register with CNECTed, you have 30 days to complete the course. You can also download other valuable workplace resources here.
2. OHTO has partnered with Not 9 to 5 to create an informative webinar to help guide members and offers insight into supporting mental health in the workplace for the hospitality industry. The webinar is available at no charge to OHTO Members. To access the webinar, click here or click the video embedded below.
3.  OHTO has partnered with Not 9 to 5 to offer members access to the course, Investing in Workplace Mental Health & Wellbeing, available through OHTO's member portal. This course includes many of the resources and information available managers will need to begin their journey in supporting employees' mental health and only takes roughly 30 minutes to complete. To access the course, register to become a member of OHTO or log into your existing profile. Once in the portal, click on the "Learner" app from the menu on the top left-hand side of your screen to access a list of available courses.