Mental Health and Management
The responsibilities and pressures associated with management can have a severe impact on individuals’ mental health – and that of their teams.
The Impact of Management on Mental Health
Managers experience unique stressors at work, which can significantly impact their wellbeing. Individuals in management positions are tasked with making critical decisions, juggle various tasks, face high performance expectations and often work long hours. Managers are also responsible for the wellbeing and performance of their teams, which may cause particular stress.
The impact of these demands and pressures can be severe, potentially leading to issues such as burnout, anxiety and depression or exacerbating existing mental health conditions.
These issues, however, don’t just affect the individual, but their teams, too. Problems with management are a leading cause of stress at work for employees, and if managers themselves are experiencing mental health problems, this can affect their ability to manage effectively, potentially causing a domino effect within an organisation.
How Can Businesses Support Managers’ Mental Health?
A positive work culture starts from the top – supporting managers can help them better support their teams, contributing to a work environment that values and prioritises mental wellbeing, respect and solidarity.
There are strategies that organisations can adopt to support managers’ mental health:
Mental health training for managers – this type of training can address managers’ unique needs and challenges, helping them better understand how to manage stressors in their roles
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) – these key tools should provide access to benefits such as therapy and counselling sessions and other mental health services
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training – this type of training ensures there are individuals within an organisation that are able to assist employees experiencing mental health problems
Mental health webinars – these resources can contribute to the creation of a culture of openness and understanding within a business, helping reduce stigma surrounding mental health
Manager support groups – peer groups can provide a safe platform for managers to discuss their experiences and share strategies for coping with stress and particular issues
Leadership & management training – those who are new to management or are struggling with specific aspects of a managerial position can significantly benefit from this type of training
Regular assessments and check-ins – it is of paramount importance that managers are able to receive support from their superiors through regular one-to-one meetings where specific issues can be openly discussed
Investing in Employee Mental Health Creates Healthier, More Productive Workplaces.
Healthy managers are more effective leaders, which enhances overall organisational performance and employee wellbeing.
