As a leader, your responsibility extends beyond project deadlines and profit margins; it’s also important to know how to support the mental health of your team, which can be a real challenge.

The holistic wellbeing and mental health of the individuals who drive your business forward can be complex and as multi-faceted as they are unique. A stressed and anxious team is a less productive, less innovative, and ultimately, a less successful team.

Heath Gunn, founder of South Yorkshire-based business and leadership coaching company Move that Mountain, is here with five top tips to make sure you and your team don’t hit the burnout point.

  1. Build a foundation of trust and safety

As the Mental Health Foundation rightly points out, a supportive work environment where people feel safe to talk about their difficulties is fundamental. As a leader you can do the following to achieve this:

  • Lead with vulnerability – share your challenges to create space for others to do the same and don’t be afraid to show your own vulnerable side
  • Be transparent – Open communication about company challenges and changes can reduce anxiety and uncertainty, which are significant contributors to poor mental health
  • Focus on learning, not blame – See mistakes as an opportunity to learn, not to criticise. A blame-heavy culture will only exacerbate anxiety.
  1. Education is key

A basic understanding of common mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and burnout is essential. Consider bringing in professionals to run workshops for your team and managers to raise awareness and reduce stigma.

You could also consider making information about mental health support more readily available. Discuss it in your team meetings to normalise the conversation around how mental health fluctuates.

  1. Recognise the alarm bells

Don’t wait for someone to reach crisis point but learn to recognise the tell-tale signs that someone may be struggling, for example:

  • Changes in behaviour – withdrawing, irritability, increased absenteeism
  • Lack of focus and reduced productivity
  • Avoiding meetings with colleagues
  • Common occurrences of headaches and fatigue
  • Expressions of negativity and hopelessness

When signs like this occur, simply asking someone if they are okay can open up a conversation and help.

  1. Promote a healthy work/life balance

Burnout is a serious threat to mental health and as a boss and leader, it’s important to set the tone. Working long hours and sending emails late at night may make your team feel under pressure to do the same.

Encourage team members to take their breaks, lunch hours and holiday time. Remind them that this is essential for their long-term health and wellbeing – and it will also help them to be happy and focused.

  1. Create connection

Foster connection and a sense of belonging, particularly if people are working from home and frequently isolated.

Encourage social interaction such as team bonding sessions or an impromptu pizza or pub night. Celebrate successes and wins so people feel valued and motivated and be inclusive. Ensure everyone feels valued and included regardless of their working style.

Move that Mountain based in South Yorkshire, specialises in business and leadership coaching, working with business and charity leaders to help steer organisations towards greater success. Regularly review workloads so that people aren’t drowning unnecessarily.

For more information visit www.movethatmountain.co.uk