How Managers Can Address Their Own Biases Around Mental Health

Posted on 4/22/2023, 1:30:32 PM

Mental health has been a widely discussed topic in recent years, with many organizations now focusing on promoting employee well-being and addressing mental health concerns. As a manager, it's important to recognize and address any biases you may have around mental health to ensure that your team feels supported and valued. Here are some steps you can take to address your own biases around mental health:

1. Educate Yourself on Mental Health

The first step in addressing your own biases is to educate yourself on mental health. Take the time to read up on different mental health conditions, their symptoms, and their impact on individuals. Attend trainings or workshops on mental health to gain a better understanding of how to support individuals struggling with mental health concerns. By increasing your knowledge on mental health, you can gain a better understanding of how to address your own biases and support your team.

2. Recognize Your Own Biases

It's important to recognize your own biases and how they may impact the way you perceive and treat individuals with mental health concerns. Some common biases include stigmatizing mental health, assuming individuals with mental health concerns are weak or less capable, and viewing mental health as a personal weakness rather than a medical condition. By identifying your own biases, you can begin to address them and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

3. Create a Safe and Supportive Environment

One way to address your own biases is to create a safe and supportive environment for your team members. This can involve promoting open communication, actively listening to team members, and encouraging them to speak up about their mental health concerns. Provide resources for mental health support, such as access to employee assistance programs or mental health professionals. By creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns, you can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and provide the necessary support for your team.

4. Practice Empathy

Empathy is a key component in supporting individuals with mental health concerns. Take the time to listen to team members' concerns and provide them with the support they need. Show understanding and compassion for their struggles, and offer resources or referrals to mental health professionals as needed. By practicing empathy, you can create a culture of support and understanding, which can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

5. Address Biases in Hiring and Performance Reviews

It's important to also address biases in hiring and performance reviews. Biases can impact the way we evaluate individuals' performance, and can result in individuals with mental health concerns being unfairly penalized. When hiring, focus on qualifications and experience, rather than assumptions about an individual's mental health. During performance reviews, focus on objective measures of performance, rather than subjective biases or assumptions. By addressing biases in hiring and performance reviews, you can ensure that individuals with mental health concerns are treated fairly and equitably.

6. Take Action to Address Biases

Finally, take action to address biases around mental health. This can involve challenging negative stereotypes and stigmas, promoting open communication about mental health concerns, and providing education and resources for your team members. Make a commitment to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace, and actively work towards addressing biases around mental health.

In conclusion, addressing biases around mental health is an important step for managers in creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace. By educating yourself, recognizing your own biases, creating a safe and supportive environment, practicing empathy, addressing biases in hiring and performance reviews, and taking action to address biases, you can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and provide the necessary support for your team members.