Mental Health at Work: A Guide to Kindness and Well-being

World Mental Health Day, celebrated on October 10th, is a global initiative to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote support for those experiencing them.

This year the World Health Organisation has declared the theme to be 'Mental Health at Work'. We spend a signicant portion of our time in our respective workplaces, therefore fostering a mentally healthy environment is crucial for both individual well-being and organisational success.

A few things that you can do to foster a healthy environment are:

Promoting Kindness and Compassion: Remember a little kindness goes a long way. Grab a colleague and have a chat while having a quick coffee break, "Are you okay?" isn't a question just for one day each year; it is a question that can, and should, be asked more often.
If you manage a team create a space where people feel heard and supported e.g. change the way you give feedback, give suggestions privately, practice an 'open-door policy', and communicate differently with different neurotypes.

Prioritising self-care: You can't pour from an empty bucket. If you are not feeling well please rest and recover. Effective organisations are built to run even with people away, the work will still be there when you get back.
Take some time through the day to move around - our bodies were not designed to sit in an office chair for 7-8 hours a day. Get some sunshine, go and see that colleague rather than emailing them, go grab a coffee or tea.
Please remember that we work to live, not live to work. When you clock out at the end of the day - mentally clock out too. Be present at home, enjoy your hobbies, disconnect electronically, practice your self care, and enjoy your life.
Depression and anxiety have increased since the global pandemic, so please be kind to yourself and allow yourself some slack. No one is perfect, Superman had no social life, Aqua Man never clocked off, Wonder Woman spent her time picking up after everyone else, and Batman forgot how to smile.

Practicing effective leadership: If you are in management - learn how to delegate tasks that you, yourself, don't need to complete. An effective team is one that works together toward a common goal.

Seeking support: Reach out to your employment assistance program (EAP) if you need extra help or support. BallyCara has an EAP that is free and there for staff to utilise the supports. EAP's give you access to trained counsellors who can help you learn new ways of managing stress, grief, and mental health. Working in Aged Care has some unique challenges and it's okay to seek out extra help to manage those.

By prioritising mental health and creating a supportive workplace culture, we can help to ensure that everyone feels valued, respected, and well-equipped to thrive. This, in turn, means we are providing the best possible care and supports for our clients/residents and their families.

To enhance your daily positivity download BallyCara's Affirmation Cards.

To learn more about looking after your mental health you can visit Beyond Blue for numerous resources including their Wellbeing Action Tool where you can create a plan for yourself.