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How to talk about mental health with your boss

2020-09-29T22:41:39.929Z


The pandemic is causing stress levels to rise. Here are some tips on how to talk to your boss about mental health. 


Stress in times of pandemic 4:21

(CNN Business) -

The global pandemic is putting stress levels high these days. “One of the first things on everyone's mind is the uncertainty around us.

Uncertainty in our jobs, of whether the children go to school, of simply going to the supermarket.

There's a lot of weight on us, ”said Benjamin Miller, a psychologist and chief strategy officer for the Well Being Trust, a national foundation that focuses on mental and social health.

And it has an impact on our mental health, which can interfere with our work.

That makes it an employer problem too.

  • READ: How to make good decisions when you are paralyzed by the stress of the pandemic, protests, the economy, etc.

“People who are stressed and who feel more anxious, depressed (…) become less effective and less productive.

Employers should be very concerned, ”said Liza Gold, a psychiatrist and clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University.

While speaking more openly and providing resources to employees about mental health can help destigmatize problems, it is still a difficult conversation to have with your boss.

Consider going to Human Resources first

If you suffer from depression and anxiety, industrial-organizational psychologist Amy Cooper Hakim suggests going to your Human Resources department first to find out about possible accommodations.

«You must make sure that you take care of yourself and benefit from the resources you obtain through your company.

There are many programs available and designed specifically for this, ”she explains.

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For example, some Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) may offer professional help to workers.

Many companies have increased their mental health benefits since the pandemic began, for example with free meditation apps and additional paid time off.

But if you have a specific question that relates directly to your job, Cooper Hakim suggests that you go directly to your immediate supervisor.

For example, if you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed and need a few extra days on a deadline, that's a conversation you should have with your boss first.

Limit what you say about your mental health

Be careful what you reveal to your manager, as once you say something, you can't take it back, Gold said.

Err on the side of enough, but no more.

If you tell everyone that you have a severe depression problem and need time off from work to take your medications, now every time you have a bad day in the future, people will wonder, "she said.

"There may be a stigma associated with that," she remarked.

The expert added that even if you have a good relationship with your boss, you don't need to provide a lot of personal information when requesting mental health days.

She suggested saying something like, “I feel a little drained, I met the deadline but I really struggled with it.

Can I take a few days off and recharge? »

"Most people can relate to that, rather than saying, 'I'm so anxious, I want some free time,'" he explained.

Stay focused on solutions

Risks and benefits of children going back to school 6:00

Proposing solutions in the conversation makes it more productive.

For example, if mornings overwhelm you as you try to get your kids to attend their classes online, suggest starting your workday later.

"Bring something to the employer that allows you and the boss to win," Miller said.

Other options may include requesting additional resources to help finish a project, a more flexible schedule, or help with prioritizing tasks and deadlines to optimize your responsibilities.

Be proactive

If you know that your work is affected, chances are your boss has also noticed.

Therefore, it is best to mention it before it becomes a major problem.

Gold suggested saying something like, "I know I haven't been at my normal speed, I'm having a difficult time."

Then provide a concrete way to move forward, like getting assistance through an EAP, taking time off, or changing some responsibilities.

"Take a problem-solving position," Gold said.

"You don't need to start with, 'I'm not meeting my deadline because I have a mental illness,'" she explained.

Depression and more disorders exacerbated by the 1:19 pandemic

Be honest, but be careful when it comes to mental health

Talking about mental health is important, but Cooper Hakim suggested that you have to be selective about who you share this information with in the office.

If you have a coworker that you really trust, it's tempting to be honest about what's going on, but the workplace can be a competitive place.

"We still have to maintain a professional demeanor," he said.

And he added that revealing your problems to a colleague could turn you against in the future.

She recommended trusting a trusted friend outside of the workplace.

anxiety, depression, stress

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2020-09-29

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