Seeking Professional Help and Resources: Familiarize yourself with available mental health resources and support systems, both within the workplace

When You're Not Alone: The Value of Seeking Professional Help and Resources

"Depression and stress have never knocked on my door," said no employee ever. The truth is, stress, depression, and other mental health issues are increasingly becoming common in the workplace. What's more interesting is that many individuals, while aware of their mental health struggles, often hesitate to seek professional help.

In a 2017 study by the American Psychological Association, it was found that only about half of American workers feel their organization supports employee well-being, and almost one in three reported chronic work stress. Yet, only 6 percent of respondents had participated in a company-sponsored mental health program.

Workplace Mental Health Resources 😇🔎 are tools, services, and supports provided by employers or available in the wider community designed to help employees manage their mental health. The goal is to ensure that employees have the proper information and access to professional support to manage and prevent mental health issues.

Your Secret Warriors: Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)

One key resource available in many workplaces is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These programs provide a variety of services to help employees dealing with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health, and well-being.

Example: ABC Corporation offers a comprehensive EAP that provides services including counselling sessions, mental health assessments, and referrals to mental health professionals for their employees. This has resulted in improved employee wellness and productivity, with a significant reduction in absenteeism due to mental health issues.

Community Mental Health Services: The Outside Force

Many communities offer mental health resources outside the workplace. These services can include counseling, therapy, psychiatric services, and support groups, often on a sliding fee scale.

Example: In Toronto, Canada, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) offers a wide range of services for individuals struggling with mental health issues, including depression and stress. These resources have been invaluable for many employees who feel overwhelmed but may not have workplace resources available.

Online Platforms and Apps: Digital Lifelines

In today's digital age, there are numerous online platforms and apps that offer mental health support. These resources include counselling services, mindfulness and stress reduction techniques, and community forums for shared experiences and advice.

Example: Talkspace is an online therapy platform that connects users with licensed therapists through a smartphone or desktop. Many employees find convenience in using such platforms as they can access support from the comfort of their homes.

Unleashing the Power of Professional Help

Though workplace stress and depression can feel isolating, it's important to remember that help is available and it's okay to reach out. By familiarizing with and utilizing available Mental Health Resources 🔍💪, employees can better cope with their challenges, resulting in a healthier, happier, and more productive work environment

Familiarize yourself with available mental health resources and support systems:

The Journey to Discover Mental Health Resources and Support Systems

Do you know that nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (51.5 million in 2019), according to the National Institute of Mental Health? With this staggering number, it's crucial to know where to turn when you need support, particularly within your workplace. This is where the journey of familiarizing oneself with available mental health resources and support systems comes into play.

Digging into Workplace Mental Health Resources

The first step is a bit like detective work. You need to discover and pinpoint the mental health resources and support systems available within your own workplace. Employers often have mental health resources, but employees may not be aware of them. This could be anything from employee assistance programs (EAPs) to in-house counseling services.

For instance, John, an IT professional, was going through a tough phase in his life. He was feeling overwhelmed and stressed. It was affecting his performance at work. He confided in a colleague who informed him about the company's EAP that offers confidential professional assistance for employees going through personal problems. John reached out to HR and started utilizing the EAP services. It was a game-changer for him. He got the help he needed and managed to bounce back at work.

The key takeaway here is: don't hesitate to ask or dig deeper. You might be surprised at the wealth of resources available to you in your workplace.

Understanding the Services Offered

Knowing the resources exist is one thing, but understanding the services offered by these resources is another. It's important to understand that mental health resources are not one-size-fits-all. Different resources offer different services, so you need to find the one that fits your needs best.

For example, some workplaces offer an 'Employee Assistance Program' (EAP) that provides services ranging from counseling, legal advice, stress management workshops to childcare support. Others might offer therapy sessions, mindfulness programs, or resilience training. It is your responsibility to understand the specifics of these services.

Here's an example of how understanding these services could help. Sarah, a marketing manager, was struggling with work-life balance and it was affecting her mental health. She found out her company's EAP offered stress management workshops. She decided to sign up and found the workshop extremely helpful. It provided her with new strategies to manage her stress and balance her work and personal life.

Privacy Matters: Confidentiality Policies and Procedures

The last but not least important step is to understand the confidentiality policies and procedures. When it comes to mental health, confidentiality is paramount. You need to know that your privacy is protected when seeking professional help.

For example, your company may have a confidentiality policy stating that all information shared with mental health professionals is kept strictly confidential, and cannot be disclosed without your consent. This should give you peace of mind to seek the help you need without worrying about your personal information being shared.

To illustrate, consider the story of Sophia, a sales executive. She was hesitant to use her company's counseling services for fear that her colleagues would find out. However, once she learned about the strict confidentiality policy, she felt safe to reach out and seek help.

In conclusion, familiarizing yourself with workplace mental health resources is an essential first step in seeking professional help. Remember, knowledge is power. The more you know about the resources available and their services, the better equipped you are to seek help when needed.

Assess your mental health needs:

Uncovering the Invisible: Assessing Your Mental Health Needs

Did you know that 1 in 5 U.S adults experience mental illness each year? Mental health is often overlooked and undervalued, especially in the workplace. It's crucial to reflect on these invisible aspects of our health, identify signs and symptoms of distress, and determine the necessity for professional help.

Looking Inward: Reflection and Identification

Reflection💡 is the first step in understanding our mental health status. Are you feeling hopeless, anxious, irritable, or finding it hard to perform daily tasks? Or perhaps you're experiencing persistent sadness, extreme mood swings, or withdrawal from activities and relationships? These could be warning signs of underlying mental health issues.

There's a real story of a man named John, who was continuously feeling exhausted despite adequate sleep. He was losing interest in his work, which he previously enjoyed, and was withdrawing from social interactions. On self-reflection, John identified these as signs of potential depression.

Example: 

"I constantly feel drained, even when I get enough sleep. I've also noticed a loss of interest in my job, and I'm isolating myself from my friends and family. These changes are impacting my work performance and personal relationships."

Self-help or Professional Help? The Balance of Mental Health Care🤹‍♀️

Once we've identified potential issues, the next step is to determine whether self-help strategies are sufficient or if professional help👩‍⚕️ is needed.

For instance, if you're frequently feeling stressed due to heavy workloads, you may be able to manage this stress through self-help strategies like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and good sleep hygiene.

On the other hand, if you're experiencing severe anxiety that's affecting your daily functioning, it might be time to seek professional help. This was the case for Maria, a software engineer who began experiencing panic attacks at work. She tried implementing self-help strategies but realized she needed professional help when her symptoms persisted.

Example: 

"I've been having frequent panic attacks at work, and despite trying deep breathing exercises and taking regular breaks, my symptoms haven't improved. I think it's time to seek professional help."

Evaluating the Impact: Severity and Workplace Performance💼

Finally, it's important to consider how your mental health issues might be impacting your performance at work and your overall wellbeing. Are your symptoms causing you to miss work regularly, or to deliver less than your best? If so, it's essential to seek help.

Consider the story of Alex, a high performing executive whose undiagnosed bipolar disorder led to erratic behavior at work, affecting his performance and team dynamics. When he realized the severity of his condition, he sought help and was able to manage his symptoms effectively.

Example:

"My mood swings have been very severe lately, and they're interfering with my work. I've missed several important meetings, and my productivity has declined. I need to seek help to manage these symptoms."

The journey of assessing your mental health needs is deeply personal and can be challenging, but it's an essential step towards better mental wellbeing. Remember, it's okay not to be okay, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Seek appropriate professional help:

The Crucial Process of Seeking Appropriate Professional Help

The journey towards mental health wellness often begins with recognizing that there's a problem and making the courageous decision to seek professional help. It's essential to remember that this process varies for everyone, and what works best for one person might not be as effective for another. Let's delve deeper into the steps one should take when seeking professional help for mental health concerns.

Consult with Your Primary Care Physician or a Mental Health Professional

Initially, you might feel overwhelmed or unsure about where to start. In such cases, your primary care physician (PCP) can be your first point of contact. They are often familiar with your medical history and can guide you towards the right direction.

For example, let's consider the hypothetical case of "John". John has been feeling persistently low and uninterested in life for the last few months. He decides to reach out to his PCP, who after a thorough consultation, suggests that John might be suffering from depression. The PCP then guides John towards the next step - seeking specialized help from mental health professionals.

Follow Recommendations for Seeking Professional Help

After your initial consultation, your physician or mental health professional will likely provide recommendations for further help. This could be in the form of referrals to therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists. Each of these professionals plays a unique role in mental health care and caters to different needs.

Let's continue with John's example. Based on the severity of his symptoms, his PCP refers him to a psychologist for psychotherapy and a psychiatrist for a potential medication evaluation. By following these recommendations, John places himself on a structured path towards recovery.

Choose Licensed and Experienced Professionals

Once you receive recommendations, it's crucial to ensure that the professionals you choose are both licensed and experienced in dealing with mental health issues. Licensing ensures that the professional is legally allowed to practice and is well-trained in their respective fields. The importance of their expertise shouldn't be underestimated. Mental health issues vary in their complexities, and a skilled professional is equipped to navigate these complexities effectively.

For example, John does some research before finalizing his appointments. He verifies the licenses of both the psychologist and the psychiatrist and looks into their areas of expertise and years of experience. He finds out that the psychologist specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy - a proven method for treating depression, and the psychiatrist is experienced in managing depression with medication.

In essence, seeking professional help for mental health issues is a multi-step process that involves consultation, following expert recommendations, and ensuring the credentials of the selected professionals. Remember, mental health is as important as physical health, and securing the right professional help is a significant step towards mental wellness.

Utilize workplace resources:

Did you know most workplaces offer resources to support mental health?

That's right! Many modern workplaces have recognized the need for supporting mental health and have established resources and support systems for their employees. These can include employee assistance programs (EAPs) and wellness initiatives.

For instance, Google has an impressive employee wellness program that provides resources like mental health counseling and physical fitness programs. Similarly, Johnson & Johnson’s comprehensive wellness program includes mental health resources, such as counseling and stress management tools.

These resources can be incredibly beneficial, but it is crucial to understand how to access them and what is required of you in order to take advantage of them.

Get acquainted with the process

The first step in utilizing these resources is to become familiar with the process of accessing them. This might look like researching on your company's intranet, reading through the employee handbook, or attending informational sessions about the resources available.

For example, your company might have a mental health portal on their website where you can book appointments with a counselor, access self-help resources, or join a support group.

You need to know the procedures for booking appointments, how often you can use the resources, any costs associated with them, and if these resources are available to family members as well.

Example: Company XYZ has an EAP that allows for 6 free counseling sessions per year. To access this, employees need to log onto the company's health portal, click on 'Book Appointment', and select a counselor from the list provided.

Seek assistance

If you're having difficulty navigating these resources, don't be afraid to seek guidance. The Human Resources (HR) department or your supervisor can be of great assistance in this regard.

HR departments are typically well-versed in the resources available and can guide you through the process of accessing them. They can also provide you with any forms or paperwork that might be needed.

Example: Let's say you are struggling with stress and want to access your company's EAP, but are not sure where to start. Reaching out to HR, you might say, "Hi, I would like to utilize the EAP for some counseling sessions. Could you guide me on how to book those?"

Your supervisor can also be a great resource, especially if they have been with the company for a while. They might be able to offer insight into how the resources have benefited them or other employees.

Just remember, your mental health is important and it's okay to ask for help! Many workplaces are prioritizing mental health support, so take advantage of the resources available to you.

Maintain open communication and follow-up:

The Power of Open Communication ✨💬

Let's start with a little-known but powerful fact: Being open and proactive about your mental health can actually empower you in your professional life. It's not uncommon for employees to feel hesitant about voicing their mental health concerns in the workplace. However, informed employers are becoming increasingly understanding of mental health issues, acknowledging their impact on both personal wellbeing and professional performance.

Keeping Employer Informed 🗂📣

Example: Meet John, a graphic designer who was struggling with anxiety. He noticed that his condition was impacting his concentration and productivity at work. After seeking advice from a mental health professional, he decided to inform his HR department about his condition. His HR manager appreciated his honesty and worked with him to devise a plan to make his work environment more conducive to managing his anxiety.

This example illustrates the importance of keeping your employer, supervisor, or HR department informed about your mental health concerns. This allows them to support you better and create a more accommodating work environment.

Advocating for Accommodations 🏢💼

Maintaining open communication involves not only informing about your condition but also expressing any necessary accommodations or adjustments that may be needed to support your mental health in the workplace. This might include a flexible working schedule, quieter workspace, or frequent breaks.

Example: Susan, a marketing executive, was diagnosed with depression. She found that regular breaks throughout the day helped manage her condition. She communicated this to her supervisor, who agreed to incorporate frequent breaks into her schedule. This not only helped Susan manage her condition but also improved her overall productivity.

The Importance of Follow-ups 👩‍⚕️🔍

Once you have sought professional help, it's crucial to follow through with recommended treatments and therapies. Regular follow-ups with your mental health professional allow you to track your progress, adjust treatments as necessary, and address any concerns that may arise.

Staying Committed to Treatment 🌈💊

Example: Michael, a software engineer, was dealing with stress and burnout. He sought help from a psychologist who recommended regular therapy sessions and mindfulness techniques. Michael kept his employer informed about his progress and any adjustments in his therapy. His commitment to his treatment plan not only improved his mental health but also allowed his employer to support him better.

This example underscores the importance of not just seeking help, but also sticking with the treatment plan. You're not expected to navigate these waters alone, and staying connected with your mental health professional can help ensure the most effective treatment path.

In summary, open communication about your mental health concerns at work, advocating for necessary accommodations, and committing to regular follow-ups with professionals are vital steps in managing mental health in the workplace. It might feel challenging to start these conversations, but the benefits - both personal and professional - can be significant.