Psychological Safety

My Friday Thought: Psychological safety within the work place can just look like people being their authentic selves and expressing when their mental health isn't great.

Someone struggling with mental health will be effecting people around you

According to Mind (link) 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problems this year. As a leader it isn't possible to prevent mental health issues, but what we can do is ensure there is a removal of the sigma that can offer go along with it.

We can lead by example, by explaining the difficulties that we have to overcome, even if this didn't affect our mental health. Why? Showing we are human and can struggle can help others to speak out to.

So what do I discuss in the open?

Thankfully I haven't had to struggle with my mental health, however, I did have to undergo five heart breaking failed attempts at IVF before we were lucky enough to have our daughter. Speaking about the attempts made it easier to undergo the emotions that the drugs enhanced.

Additionally our seventh attempt ended up in me having to give birth earlier to the child that died within the womb. A heart-breaking time, which was made easier by being able to be honest at work.

For me, this helped prevent any mental health issues arising and allowed others to understand why I might not be the usual me.

Mental health and Psychological Safety - aren't they different?

Mental health can look different to everyone, but it is likely to be effecting someone in your team and your support can make it easier. Having an environment where people feel safe to speak (so psychologically safe) can provide a supportive environment for those struggling with their mental health to. So for me psychological safety is a foundation to ensuring you have a supportive environment for the people within it.