Mental health. In many workplaces, it is the elephant in the room, but in 2017, a workplace which lacks a culture of boosting mental health is becoming grossly unacceptable. Workplaces have become increasingly mindful of the need for mental wellbeing and huge companies such as BHP Billiton have recognised the significant impact of poor mental health on their employees. They’ve incorporated four key focus areas (culture, capacity, prevention and recovery) into their company-wide framework to recognise the importance of maintaining mental health and this has created a catalyst for more and more organisations to care for those who need it most. 

For a start-up, not knowing what tomorrow holds is normal. But no doubt, this stress and insecurity extends beyond work hours and often seep into our thoughts, day in, day out. However, there is always a way to solve a problem for your business and ensuring our mental health doesn’t get critically damaged is the ultimate problem we must solve.

We all need an extra hand and a real conversation every now and then. So here are a few ideas for entrepreneurs and employees of startups alike, to maintain mental health and to develop a work environment which fosters an encouragement of speaking out and asking for help. 

1. Get rid of that elephant in the room

Culture is everything in a workplace. It’s what keeps employees loyal and motivated to build on the company’s vision and achieve success. But without a culture which cares for its people, many entrepreneurs fail to lead and maintain a cohesive team, dedicated to the startup’s goals. Thus, ensuring there is a sense of appreciation and support should be weaved into a company’s values. 

A company which aims to removes the stigma that is still so strongly attached to mental health can begin by encouraging discussions, and a strict no-discrimination allowed policy. Creating a space which is comfortable and safe to work in will ensure your employees are mentally healthy, and increased productivity levels and motivation will naturally follow. Although the responsibility of creating this environment lies strongly on the managing team, each person in that workplace has a duty to contribute similarly. 

2. Introducing Wellbeing Hour

It is no surprise people dread Monday. You’ve just had a relaxing weekend and now, you have five days ahead of you for work, work, work, work, work, work, work, and no matter how upbeat Fifth Harmony makes it sound, the reality is, Mondays suck. 

As we mentioned, every problem has a solution and we want you to give Wellbeing Hour a try. On Monday, or any day of week, give your team one hour off during the day to do whatever they want. Watch Netflix, read under the sun, gym, go for that heavily postponed run, anything and everything. Create this culture of allowing your employees to focus on their mental health, to show them you appreciate them and give them the opportunity to re-energise and come back, 100%, ready to put in the hours. 

3. ‘How can I help you?’

This question is powerful. From Kindergarten when your teacher walked around the room, asking around to see who needs help, to a startup where everyone is part of a team, working towards one shared vision and goal, help is a necessity. That’s why it’s called a team, not a group of people because part of your job is to help each other. 

Some of the greatest entrepreneurs couldn’t have gotten to where they are without a helping hand who picked them up after a failure – Steven Spielberg, one of the greatest cinematic geniuses, was rejected by the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts multiple times before he met film companies who were willing to invest in him and give him a helping hand. Chances are, if you’re hired for a startup, you already have people investing in your skills and potential. Take their help and give that back where you can. 

Maintaining mental health is important and it goes beyond business. In everyday life, mental health should be a priority and this is becoming an increasingly accepted way of thinking. There are organisations such as Lifeline and beyondblue who will give a hand to anyone who needs it.

Contact Information:beyondblue

Website: http://beyondblue.org.auPhone number: 1300 22 4636

LifelineWebsite: https://www.lifeline.org.au

Phone number: 13 11 14