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Mental Health Awareness

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

How can you recognize when a colleague
or friend is struggling with mental health
challenges and how do you approach them to
help? FOCUS Magazine spoke with
Leslie Auld, LMSW, ACSW, director, Therapy
Today Counseling & Consulting, LLC.
Cottonbro/Pexels FOCUS: What signs should employers be looking for that could

suggest an employee is experiencing mental health challenges?

Auld: Noticeable changes in behavior, attendance, and changes in
performance, along with expressing sadness, excessive guilt, or worry,
can be signs that something could be going on with them. When you
notice a person who is normally interested and engaged and suddenly,
seems they are not, that would be an excellent time to check. Also, note
symptoms like tearfulness, talking about sleep problems and difficulty
concentrating. Excessive worry and guilt or increased irritability are
signs that a person might be suffering emotional distress.

FOCUS: How should employers handle discussions involving emotional well-being and mental health?

Auld: Find a way to approach the person gently and be non-judgmental. Express concern by simply asking
if they are okay. Be open and willing to listen in a gentle, interested, validating way. You can create a feeling
of safety by normalizing mental health ups and downs and letting them know you understand this is a
natural part of life. By reaching out to them, you can be that bridge for them to get some help. Employers
should have some referrals ready should employees express a desire to get professional help.

FOCUS: What can employers do to help remove the stigma often associated with mental health?

Auld: The biggest thing is to talk about it in a supportive and healthy way that communicates that mental
health is something we all need to pay attention to. Many health insurance companies have good webinars
on improving your mental and emotional well-being that an employer can encourage employees to watch
or create time for them to watch. Employers can bring in speakers to provide information on mental health
topics, coping with stress or resilience. Having an employee assistance program is a relatively low-cost
option for employers to facilitate employees engaging with a therapist.

FOCUS: Often, employees are reluctant to speak up and admit the challenges they face. What is your
advice for people struggling with that?

Auld: Stigma around mental health problems and treatment is decreasing with so much media attention,
but for those who struggle with this, the option of telehealth psychotherapy could provide the additional
sense of privacy a person may need. Sessions are provided in the privacy of your home on your computer,
where you can see and talk to a therapist over a video call. There are many mental well-being apps you can
get on your phone and that could be a way to get started looking into ways of improving your well-being.

One good option is to seek out a telehealth appointment that no one other than the person you are
speaking would have to know – that can open the door for them. The therapist will help them feel more
comfortable once they are together.

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