Why mental health must be a management priority

Mental health has become a key issue in many workplaces in the context of creating a healthier workplace. It has received more attention in recent years with the aim of preventing physical and mental illness among employees in companies. Mental health relates to the experience of good mood and satisfaction, as well as being able to cope with everyday tasks and deal with the tasks and challenges encountered in working life, which gives individuals job satisfaction. As a manager, you can have a big impact on mental health among employees, which will also create more well-being in the workplace. Studies show that many employees have poor mental health, and therefore it should be a management priority.

Why should your manager focus on mental health?

As a manager, you have often been faced with new challenges. The Corona crisis is a good example, where many employees had to get used to new changes, including working from home. This had both its advantages and disadvantages. During difficult periods such as the Corona crisis, when new changes occur, it is important that your team is guided, and communication is a key factor here. However, it also had its challenges, as many have put a lot of effort into maintaining efficiency, and in many cases had to put their own needs aside. The corona crisis therefore also had an impact on mental health among employees, with many becoming more inactive and it was difficult to plan to meet.

As a manager, difficult situations can arise where the focus must be on maintaining a balance and calm in your team. With a focus on strengthening mental health in the workplace, it increases the likelihood that employees are better able to deal with and accommodate new challenges encountered in daily life. Here it is also important that managers know their employees and their limitations, so that they can guide and help when needed. In addition, it is essential for the company that the manager is not burdened and stressed for too long periods, as it can not only have a negative effect on their own mental health but the entire company.

Tips to boost mental health:

• Take an interest in your employees/workers
• Setting clear and precise objectives
• Remember to prioritize yourself once in a while. As a manager, your own well-being and mental health are also important
• Exercise, healthy eating habits, optimal sleep, break training are good elements to strengthen your mental health
• Use each other for support and coordinate tasks
• Be aware of each other and reduce the incidence of being affected by physical or mental health problems

Making mental health a management priority will improve well-being in the workplace. A good manager understands their employees, listens and helps them, and sets clear goals. It therefore requires a wide range of attributes. High levels of wellbeing in the workplace can reduce the development of illnesses, which benefits the individual, the company and society in the long term.