Navigating Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace
We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Victoria Maxwell, an award-winning mental health speaker who is known for bringing lightness to a topic that many struggle with - mental health.
During our discussion, Victoria generously shared her personal journey with mental health challenges. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety, epilepsy, an eating disorder, and recently, complex PTSD, Victoria's life went through a significant transition. Her healing process began when she was able to finally find the right psychiatrist, someone who listened to her and built trust. However, Victoria's return to work wasn't without its challenges. In this article, we'll explore the impact of mental health in the workplace, the sometimes tough decision to take time off, and the crucial role mental health support can play from both the employee and employer perspective.
Victoria’s Personal Journey
Before her diagnosis, Victoria worked in a grocery store chain, and experienced mood changes that were both “very high, and very low”. While her manager at the time made an effort to address the challenges posed by her mental health, she didn’t feel open, or safe, to share.
“He [my manager] did try to talk to me but one of the things he did was a one-off, ‘If you need to talk to me, my doors open’. I see that when a person needs help, it's multiple conversations. It's really about building that rapport. I think if he had actually said, ‘These are the things that I'm seeing, and we really value you as an employee. How can we support you?’. Instead, he was saying, ‘If you need something, let me know’. And at the time, I didn't think I needed anything. So I didn't go to him.”
"It took quite a while before I actually was able to accept that I had the illnesses, even after I'd been diagnosed. I really refused more ‘traditional’ treatment, I tried to manage it on my own with alternative remedies, which is not to say that they don't help but it wasn't enough for me to actually stay stable. And with that, my career really started to spin out of control.” Victoria shared.
Taking time off became an inevitable decision for Victoria, marking a turning point in her journey. Her healing process truly started when she found a psychiatrist she could trust. This allowed her to begin a proactive journey toward recovery. Exploring vocational rehabilitation and supported employment, Victoria found a supportive work environment.
“It was really only until I found the right psychiatrist - and I say the right psychiatrist for me because it was someone that I could finally trust, who really listened to me in a way that other psychiatrists and health professionals didn't. And that's what got me on the road to recovery. That and I think, being in and out of the hospital so many times, really scared me. Something shifted, and I started to be really proactive on my own recovery”
Transparency and trust are cornerstones of Victoria's approach to managing mental health in the workplace. She found that her proactive communication with supervisors became essential for maintaining a healthy work environment.
Creating a Supportive Culture
By openly discussing mental health challenges, individuals like Victoria contribute to creating workplaces where employees feel comfortable seeking support without fear of judgment. In our conversation, Victoria shared a few important ways that leaders can create a workplace culture that prioritizes this important piece of psychological safety.
Understanding and Accommodating Mental Health Needs
Creating a workplace that genuinely supports mental health involves recognizing and respecting the unique needs of each person. It's like having a toolkit with various tools because what works for one might not work for another. Encouraging open communication is a vital piece to this. It's about creating an environment where employees feel safe to share their experiences and needs without worrying about judgment. When employers take the time to understand these individual needs and make accommodations accordingly, it's like saying, "Hey, we've got your back." This not only boosts the well-being of each team member but also builds a workplace where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported on their mental health journeys.
Victoria recalls working in an environment where she felt safe enough to share her needs “As I was getting more responsibility, it came to a point where I was starting to find it to be too overwhelming. And so because we [my manager and I] had that rapport, I was able to go to her and say ‘My anxiety is up’. And because she had some of the specifics, I think it made it easier for her to understand why I needed certain accommodations.”
2. Communicating Effectively with Employees Returning to Work
Navigating the return to work after dealing with mental health challenges requires effective communication. As discussed, leaders play a crucial role in creating this atmosphere where their teams feel comfortable expressing their needs and concerns. Clarity also ensures that both the employee and employer are clear on the performance expectations especially when there is a graduated return to work plan.
Victoria shares “Knowing that you're not alone all of a sudden makes it easier to talk about and easier to get help. And that to me, the most important part is being able to get help and then be able to get back into life so that you're having a really high-quality life.”
Remember, fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health not only benefits the individual but contributes to a thriving and supportive work environment for everyone involved.
3. The Significance of Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries is a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and Victoria's experiences truly highlight this. Both leaders and employees can benefit from fostering an environment that respects individual limits and prioritizes mental health. Recognizing when to step back and prioritize self-care contributes to long-term well-being. As Victoria suggests, it's essential to "really know yourself" and be aware of when vital self-care practices, such as sleep, exercise, meditation, social contact, and a balanced diet, are at risk of being sacrificed in the pursuit of career goals. This proactive approach to self-awareness and boundary-setting is not only a personal responsibility but also an integral aspect of creating workplaces that support the well-being of their teams.
Victoria shares some advice “Know what works to help you stay balanced, and be aware of when those things are sort of sliding off the table. When you're building a career you're doing more often those things start to get sacrificed. And those very things are what allow you to be effective in your work. For me, it's about being very proactive, and finding those specific things that really work.”
By championing these principles, organizations can contribute to the overall health, happiness, and effectiveness of their teams.
Summary
The return to work after experiencing mental health challenges is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. Leaders and employees can continuously learn from each other, adapt strategies, and contribute to the evolving conversation around mental health in the workplace. Victoria Maxwell's story serves as a testament to the possibilities of recovery and thriving in the professional realm.
The employee perspective on mental health and the return to work, as shared by Victoria Maxwell, calls for continued dialogue, empathy, and proactive measures to create workplaces that prioritize the mental well-being of all individuals.
Victoria Maxwell (BFA/BPP*) is a recognized international keynote speaker, using her sense of humour and personal journey of recovery from mental illness to facilitate challenging conversations about mental health. Through her innovative approach, she increases understanding and awareness of workplace mental health issues, provides strategies and insights into the return-to-work process, and reshapes negative beliefs. To learn more about Victoria’s story, visit her website today at www.victoriamaxwell.com.
Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please don't hesitate to reach out for support. In Canada, you can contact Wellness Together Canada to connect with a mental health professional one-on-one at 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 741741. Remember, reaching out is a sign of strength, and help is available.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your workplace wellness journey. Together, let's build a future where well-being is at the heart of every business endeavour.
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