Nine ways leaders can check in with their teams' mental health

By Male Allies UK

29 Jul 2021

lee-chambers-mental-health-checkin.jpg

Working environment and conditions can have a significant impact on mental health, and, by the same token, a person's mental health can have a considerable effect on their ability to perform their job.

Here are a few statistics to put this in perspective:

1 in 6.8 people suffer from work-related mental health problems1. 1 in every 7.8 sick days is related to mental health2.

Therefore, doing all you can to not only reduce the stigma surrounding mental health but help team members through challenging periods should be your priority as a team leader.

Here's how you can do it:

#1 – One-on-One Time

People are more likely to be open and honest during a one-on-one meeting compared to when in a group-based setting, such as a team meeting; therefore, scheduling one-on-one meetings with each team member are the best way to have a transparent, frank, and sincere discussion. Furthermore, it makes your team feel like you care and they're not only valued on a work level but on a personal level too.

#2 – Use a Rating Scale

Not everyone is completely comfortable talking about their mental health and how they're feeling, or they may simply not be able to put their feelings into words. This can make discussions about mental health feel awkward and anxious – two feelings that have the potential to exacerbate any issues that exist (which is the opposite of what you are trying to achieve).

To get around this, begin proceedings with a number scale of 0 to 100 and ask your team to rate how they're feeling based on this spectrum. You can break this down into different subsections such as how 'stressed' they're feeling, how 'anxious' they're feeling, how 'satisfied' they're feeling, and so on and so forth.

#3 – Start a Conversation

If you think a team member might be struggling, don't be afraid to start a conversation with them to discuss how they're feeling. Unfortunately, many people are happy to suffer in silence and are afraid of being a burden, so they will refrain from discussing their mental health for fear of an adverse reaction. However, if you initiate the conversation, it will eradicate these fears and help them to open up.

#4 – Utilise Online Polls

Over the last year, working remotely has become the norm, which has resulted in far fewer opportunities for face-to-face communication and discussion. Therefore, it's essential to use online technology to assess how your team are doing. While this won't replace face-to-face conversations, it can help you gauge how your team are feeling without too much intrusion.

#5 – Create a Mental Health Action Plan

As a team leader, it's crucial to spot the signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health; however, it's crucial that the rest of your team are aware of the tell-tale signs and are there to help each other. Creating a 'Mental Health Action' plan is a great way to do this as it will not only bring mental health to the fore but will also help to increase openness between team members, which will only have positive effects on morale and mental health in the long run.

#6 – Questionnaires

Like other forms of online technology, questionnaires are a superb way to find out how your team members are feeling. After all, people will often feel more comfortable filling in a questionnaire than they would be baring all in a face-to-face conversation (even if you get on really well and have a great relationship).

#7 – Down Time is Critical

Work shouldn't revolve solely around work. Instead, conversation, discussion, and activities non-work-related should be encouraged during scheduled downtime during working hours. Sometimes even half an hour of non-work work-related sessions can boost focus, improve productivity, and, most importantly, make team members feel happier.

#8 – Physical Health is Equally Important

"Healthy body, healthy mind" - an old adage, but one that is relevant to every single person on the planet. Encourage team members to not only look after themselves physically through exercise and eating healthily but also by encouraging periodic health checks/scans to ensure they're physically healthy.

#9 – Colour Coding

When time is short, use a colour-coded system to assess how people are feeling. Green = feeling great. Amber = feeling ok. Red = feeling stressed. Once a person has submitted their colour, you can schedule a meeting to discuss how they're feeling.

Do you need any further advice or help in implementing any of the above strategies? This is just a small part of the work we do at Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing, building wellbeing strategies and delivering evidence-based, engaging wellbeing workshops across the UK. Wondering how we can support you? Contact us for a chat on 01772 846198 or email [email protected].

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin