How Should I Discuss Mental Health Concerns With My Employer?

Everyone goes through mental health struggles. For this reason, it is valuable to discuss mental health concerns with others in your life. Your mental health should always be a top priority. If you are struggling, it is okay to figure out what you need in order to get back on track. Sometimes, this can mean letting the people in your life know that you need extra support. 

Signs of Mental Health Struggles

Every person is unique and will deal with mental health struggles in their own way. Still, there are some signs that might help you recognize if you are struggling with your mental health:

• Unexplained changes to your eating or sleeping habits
• Feeling uninterested in activities that you used to enjoy
• Withdrawing from your social connections and isolating yourself
• Being overwhelmed by negative emotions such as sadness, worry, hopelessness, or anxiety
• Having unexplained pain such as constant headaches or stomach problems
• Feeling unable to function or fulfill your daily obligations 

If you are feeling negative emotions that don’t seem to resolve over time, you may need to find some extra mental health support. There are several ways that you can try to boost your mental health. You can consider seeking professional mental health services, like those offered at Alter Wellness Care, in addition to discussing mental health concerns with friends, family, and other prominent people in your life. 

How to Discuss Mental Health Concerns at Work

Thinking about how to discuss mental health concerns with others can be a little uncomfortable for most people. You may feel hesitant to let yourself be vulnerable with others, especially if you aren’t sure how they will react. However, discussing your mental health with others can be very empowering and lead to better understanding and awareness of mental health for everyone. Having honest conversations about your mental health needs can enable others to give you the support you need.

For most people, our jobs are where we spend the majority of our time and energy. Having positive support in your workplace can be essential to improving your mental health. Supporting you should be a priority for your employer. This is because, when you feel supported, you will be able to do your job more efficiently and effectively.

Preparing to Discuss Mental Health Concerns at Work

Discussions about mental health at work should be handled carefully in a way that will lead to the most productive outcome for everyone. When preparing to discuss mental health concerns with your employer, there are things you can do to prepare that can make the conversation go smoothly. Consider the following:

1. Give yourself and your employer time to get ready for the discussion. You can let your employer know that you have something important you would like to discuss and set a time to sit down with them. By making an appointment instead of jumping into the conversation casually, you will be alerting your employer that what you have to say is something that needs to be taken seriously.
2. Organize some talking points that are important to you before your meeting. It can be helpful to have specific examples of how your mental health is affecting areas of your work. Talking with your employer about your mental health goals and how you would like to accomplish them can also be beneficial. You can also have suggestions for how you need to be supported in your goals at work. 
3. Be willing to answer questions, listen to their ideas, and have an open conversation. Work with your employer to come up with solutions that work best for both of you. It is a great way to make sure that you both feel heard, respected, and supported. 

During your conversation with your employer, if at any point you start to feel uncomfortable or upset, it is perfectly acceptable to ask if you can take a break and continue the conversation later. Pushing yourself too hard could make the conversation less productive and may cause your mental health to deteriorate further. Be patient with yourself and take it one step at a time.

Setting Mental Health Goals

Moreover, setting some goals for yourself is a great way to track your mental health progress and be proactive. You can incorporate mindfulness and relaxation activities into your daily routine, for example. Connecting with your social group can also be a great way to boost mental health. You can also journal to keep track of your moods and monitor your progress.

At Alter Wellness Care, it is our goal to support each of our clients in achieving their goals. We offer individualized treatment plans tailor-made to fit your unique needs. Our evidence-based mental health resources include one-on-one therapy, access to support groups, and several more intensive options like partial hospitalization programs (PHP). Let us guide and support you in overcoming your mental health concerns. 

Struggling with mental health is a normal part of most people’s lives. Everyone will go through up and downs. Making your mental health a priority is crucial to your well-being and will help you have the ability to thrive. If you are struggling with your mental health, you deserve to have the support of the people around you, including your employer. Talking with your employer about your mental health needs can be a great tool to raise awareness and gain support while you are getting on the path toward feeling better. Call Alter Wellness Care at (866) 311-3510 for more information on how to make your mental health a priority and get the support you need.