As winter approaches and the holidays approach, joy and companionship can seem like a given. However, that is not always the reality. Winter can worsen existing mental health issues. During this time, grief may be more acute and people may be more distressed than usual. In the medical industry, burnout is never far away. It's important to understand how healthcare workers are feeling and how you can help.
Stress can weigh heavily on team members during the winter months. Darcy E. Gruttadaro, chief innovation officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), analyzed some common stressors.
“Many people travel and exchange gifts, which is nice but can also add to financial stress,” Gruttadaro said. “Plus, there can be a lot of pressure around the holidays, like hosting events, wrapping up projects at work, and having to stay cheerful even when you don't feel like it. And of course, the holidays. can throw off your mood. Your eating, sleeping, and exercise habits can keep you from feeling your best.”
These additional pressures and stressors can have a negative impact not only on work performance, but also on mental health. Delays in staffing during this time can increase financial uncertainty, especially when it comes to gifts.
“Inconsistency in work can make it difficult to plan budgets and finances and can lead to a lack of security,” Gruttadaro said.
The consequences can be serious, with stress leading to depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and drug and alcohol use, Gruttadaro said.
“Employers can reduce the impact of slow seasons by reminding people of the need to stay connected to their communities, take advantage of available benefits, and talk to each other about staying healthy,” Gruttadaro said. Ta.
The death of a loved one, whether a family member, friend, or even a close client, can have a profound impact on a person's mental state. Grief is a lifelong process, but it can be exacerbated during the holiday season.
“For those grieving the death of a loved one, this may be a time when the absence of a loved one is more acutely felt,” Gruttadaro said.
Bob VandePol, founder of VandePol Crisis Response Services LLC, says, “Cultures that emphasize togetherness can make grievers feel more empty and alone.”
“Whether it's the first holiday or the 50th holiday after someone's death, there's still a seat at the table,” Vandepol said. “And often the holidays activate emotions that have been dormant or just beneath the surface.”
Creating a comfortable work environment
You may be wondering what you can do if your employees are struggling, especially if they aren't speaking up about it. The first step is to find out if the company has support in place. Gruttadaro recommended reviewing your company's benefits package to see if mental health support is as comprehensive as physical benefits.
“Meet people where they are, often on the ground,” Gruttadaro said. “There's no need to wait for more stressful seasons. Consider distributing benefit information year-round, posting flyers, and starting benefit reminders during part of the workday.” (National Alliance on Mental Health A poll by Illness found that 38% of entry-level employees were unaware of their mental health care coverage.
Because you may spend a lot of time with your team members, you may be able to observe your employees in a different way than you would with your family.
“Managers may be the first to notice changes in their employees,” says Gruttadaro. “This can include employees becoming forgetful, showing up late, being more irritable, looking exhausted for days on end, becoming withdrawn, and disengaging with team members. It is also possible that the employee begins to take greater risks and ignore safety practices, problems outside of work, increased drug use, gambling, financial difficulties, and disagreements with co-workers or family members. Sometimes you find yourself starting to talk about things.”
If you or another teammate notices problematic behavior for more than a few days, Gruttadaro recommends starting a conversation. This is also a good time to remind employees of available resources, such as employee assistance programs.
Reflect on your company culture: Is asking for help encouraged? Is your leadership trained to look out for signs and behaviors of concern and provide support? National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that employees are most likely to discuss their mental health with a colleague or their immediate supervisor.
“Workers also want their managers to guide them on how to discuss mental health in the workplace, so if a manager is negative or refuses to talk about mental health, That attitude can spread throughout the team,” Gruttadaro warned.
“If a construction worker showed up with a boot on his ankle, it would be handled and understood. But if someone is depressed, all of a sudden they're put in a different category,” Vandepol said. he said. He suggests adding mental health tips to your communications with employees. For example, leaders can include a quick lesson on periodic breathing that employees can use if they're feeling overwhelmed with anxiety.
People may hide their struggles, but NAMI found that 1 in 5 people in the United States experience a mental health condition each year.
“The other four of the five are their friends, family and colleagues,” Gruttadaro said. “Whether you realize it or not, you may know someone who is currently experiencing a mental health issue. This holiday season, take care of your health and the health of your colleagues, and use your social networks to Challenge yourself to support each other all year round.”
Be observant of those around you as this year brings seasonal events and obligations. Amid all the flashing lights and loud parties, your loved one may be going through a difficult situation. Don't be afraid to reach out and offer to help.
