Let’s Get Mental Health Out in the Open!

This week is #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and we invited Louise McMilan to share her experience and insights into what so many people have dealt with during the pandemic.

She highlights the benefits of recognising and seeking help during tough times.

More and more of us are talking about Mental Health and the impact this pandemic has had on people. Truth of the matter is a lot of people were beginning to talk about it before; this pandemic has just bought it closer to home.

I could start by giving you some facts and figures of the impact mental health has in the workplace. Whilst they are insightful, I believe highlighting some of my personal story first will help in understanding and may resonate.

Back in 2016, I was a HR Manager and loving the organisation I worked for.  I loved the people, the culture and where the business was heading. I was covering maternity leave so was aware that my contract was fixed term.  I was enjoying it so much I was hoping there may be a possibility of staying as the business was growing. 

However, 10 months in as we were getting to the autumn months I wasn’t consciously aware that my anxieties were rising. I knew I wasn’t sleeping very well and felt like I had this heavy dark cloud over me. After a bad night’s sleep at the beginning of December, it dawned on me that I was not in a good place. 

I saw my Doctor and he diagnosed me with Anxiety and Depression. I refused to take time off, with Christmas around the corner, so the plan was to start back on my medication and fully rest over Christmas.  Unfortunately this was not the first time this had happened. It definitely wasn’t the first or second. It had become a regular occurrence every few years.  

I thought it was just me. I thought I was wired wrong. Why couldn’t I and my life be like everyone else!

What we now know is, Mental Health issues are common, especially depression, anxiety and those associated with misuse of alcohol and other drugs. 

There is a stigma associated with mental ill health and this involves negative attitudes (prejudice) and discrimination refers to negative behaviour.  It may lead many people to hide their difficulties from others. The problem is whilst we are talking about it more, many people are not well informed AND many people with mental health issues don’t get adequate treatment or they delay accessing treatment.

What might you see from someone with poor mental health?

• Over analysing every situation or conversation to find the negative and then times it by 100. Perhaps they may only see or hear the negatives

• Work long hours, over prepare, over think, double check, seek approval to compensate

• Over eating or not eating

• Over reaction to something – the tipping point – I’d burst into tears, tell a colleague but then think they would hold it against me! 

• Disengaged, very quiet or abruptness

• Dip in performance or speed (presenteeism!)

• Reluctance to attend work events

• Anger!  Behind this might be – anxiety, fear, depression, shame, helplessness, sadness, confusion, embarrassment

What you don’t see? (based on my personal experience)

• Believing not good enough (at anything) and incapable of doing the task in hand let alone reach any dreams or aspirations.

• Over thinking, double checking, anxiety to send an email or make a call.

• Burnout, not eating properly, becoming paranoid and constantly thinking the worse. 

• Coming home from work and going straight to bed practically every day

• Emailing reminders to own work email with horrible messages in the middle of the night

• Lack of sleep, feeling sluggish, tearful and having multiple mouth ulcers

• No energy to do house work, things they enjoy, meeting family and friends

• Scared to speak to anyone about what is happening

What steps can you take?

Firstly and most importantly I recommend investing in Mental Health training and appointing Mental Health First Aiders within your organisation.  They will be trained to support anyone in a mental health crisis or developing mental health issues.

If someone in your organisation confides in you:

• Listen, don’t judge and seek to understand

• Communicate non judgementally and don’t advise/share what you think they should do

• Encourage them to get appropriate professional help. 

• Consider Occupational Health support

• Give support and information that you know of

• Don’t rush them, you may miss a meeting or be late – you would do anyway if you were a first aider!

Now for the stats bit:

• Mental Health issues are responsible for 91 million working days lost in the UK. These issues in the workplace cost about £30billion a year, while the cost of presenteeism is around £15.1 billion.

• 1 in 6 working age adults have symptoms associated with mental illness.

(from MHFA England)

Finally, it may be hard for someone to explain what is going on in their head, when they can’t explain it themselves. 

‘By listening to you, encouraging you, and gently challenging you, I coach you to achieve your goals.’

You can listen to Louise explaining her story on the One Dream, One Vision podcast or visit her website for more information.