Given the quickening pace of change and disruption and the need for creative, adaptive responses from teams at every level, psychological safety is more important than ever. The organisations that create psychological safety can reap many benefits, from improved innovation, experimentation, and agility to better overall organisational health and performance. As clear as this call to action may be, “How do we develop psychological safety?” and, more specifically, “Where do we start?”  What is psychological safety?  The term psychological safety was coined in 1999 by Amy Edmondson, a H ..read more

Small business owners are the backbone of economies worldwide. They are the risk-takers, the innovators, and the drivers of growth. However, behind the determination lies a set of unique challenges that can take a toll on their mental health. The Loneliness of running your own business Running a small business often means taking on multiple roles simultaneously, from CEO to accountant to customer service representative. Small business owners may find themselves making critical decisions in solitude, without the benefit of a supportive team to lean on. The burden of this can weigh heavily on th ..read more

Workplace policies help set expectations across the business. They clearly define what psychological hazards are and what you will do to manage them.  A mental health policy serves as a guiding document outlining the roles and responsibilities of both employees and leaders/directors within your organisation. It is essential that this policy is customised to suit the specific needs and nuances of your workplace.  At a minimum, a workplace mental health policy should encompass the following key elements:  1. Purpose and Objectives Clearly define the purpose and objectives of the p ..read more

A survey conducted by HAYS found that 67% of the professionals surveyed believe their employer has a responsibility to support their mental health and wellbeing at work.  While employers have a legal and moral obligation to build and maintain systems and structures that protect and promote sound mental health at work, employees also have a role to play. Employees have a responsibility to look out for their and their colleagues’ physical as well as mental health and safety. Given that our work occupies a substantial portion of our lives, there are instances when it can introduce stress or ..read more

A workplace mental health induction is a great way to equip employees with the skills and confidence they need to approach mental ill-health while on the job – and right now, they are more necessary than ever. Employers should consider inducting all staff into mental health awareness training for several compelling reasons:  Promoting a Culture of Mental Health Awareness   Inducting all staff into workplace mental health training helps create an organisational culture that values mental health and wellbeing at work. When everyone is educated about mental health, it fosters empat ..read more

A question we often get asked by leaders is…. Why do you suggest training all employees in workplace mental health training and not just managers?   The answer is this:   What happens when a staff member doesn’t feel comfortable speaking with a manager or supervisor and would rather speak to a colleague, but that colleague has not been trained in mental health awareness?     In such a scenario, several potential outcomes may arise:  Limited Support  The untrained colleague may not know how to provide adequate support or may feel overwhelmed by ..read more

When we talk about mental ill-health, the language we use plays a significant role in perpetuating, or preventing, stigma, stereotypes and myths. It’s all too common to hear words like ‘psycho’, ‘schizo’ or ‘crazy’ used to describe people living with a mental illness. Terms like ‘OCD’ are used as shorthand slang to describe someone who is particularly organised or tidy, and we may hear phrases like ‘you’re so bipolar’ thrown around in jest. When talking about treatment options, too, colloquialisms like ‘shrink’ or ‘happy pills’ often replace accurate terminology, making mental health treatmen ..read more

Many of us will be familiar with workplace mental health workshops and strategies that include anything from lunchtime yoga to corporate wellness activities. These can be fun, open up the possibility of team bonding, and may boost morale, in the short-term at least. The fact remains, however, that these initiatives are ultimately ineffective and have limited success when it comes to improving psychological wellbeing outcomes for staff. Fortunately, more and more companies are recognising that these once-off initiatives are unlikely to result in lasting, sustainable change. There’s no one-size ..read more

Christmas can be a time of year when your mental health can be impacted negatively.  Stress, expectation, loneliness or anxiety are common emotions felt by many over the holidays. Entertaining guests, the additional expense, planning jam-packed vacations and feeling isolated from others during the festive season can all directly contribute to poor mental health.  There are, however, many helpful ways that you can balance your mental health at Christmas.  We have listed six important ones for you below.  1. Enjoy everything in moderation There’s no other time of year where p ..read more

As we prepare to leave another year behind and start planning for a new year ahead, many employees will find themselves working from home either by choice or necessity. Since early 2020, working environments have changed, with many workplaces now offering hybrid or entirely remote working models.  Many studies undertaken across the world over the last few years have found that working from home has many benefits. Workplace overheads are cut back, employees are happier and more relaxed, and productivity is higher than ever.  If you are working from home in 2023, maintaining mental wel ..read more