At Chadwick Accountants & Bookkeepers, we believe the workplace should be more than just somewhere you clock in and out - especially when it comes to mental health. This is especially true in male-dominated industries, although the pressure of leadership often doesn’t differentiate between genders.
So how we can all be more ‘human’ at work?
Despite growing awareness, mental health remains a hard conversation - especially for men. Struggles are often masked with dark humour or uncharacteristic behaviour. Real emotion? It’s rarely seen. People bottle things up. And that’s how it stays.
Fears are sometimes rooted in reality. But also in perception. Many employees think that opening up might affect their job, their chances of promotion, or simply how colleagues see them.
But those who do speak out can be surprised by the acceptance: and wished they’d done it sooner.
There’s also the responsibility of leadership when it comes to mental health. Company owners and line managers should be the ones who notice when things aren’t right. You spend most of your waking life at work. If your manager isn’t checking in, who is?
There are a number of simple rules that business leaders can follow. Regularly asking how an employee is feeling if there seems to be a problem. Making time for a quiet coffee and a conversation. Reducing criticism, especially when it isn’t really necessary or called for. And better training for managers - recognising that knowing how to spot the signs, and respond appropriately, is a skill everybody needs to learn.
Mental health issues can affect anyone: but too many people still struggle in silence, worn down by expectations to "suck it up" and carry on.
