Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting how we think, feel and also act. It can determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.
Below we’ve highlighted five employee mental health myths.
1.) Mental ill-health is a sign of weakness
Seeking help for mental health issues should not be regarded as a sign of weakness – but rather a sign of strength and courage.
2.) Mental health sufferers cannot do their job effectively
The truth is that many people who have a mental illness can also have very successful careers. When they receive treatment for their illness, their performance improves even more.
3.) Mental illnesses are lifelong and incurable
When treated appropriately, most people will fully recover from their mental illness and will have no additional episodes of mental illness throughout their life.
4.) Mental health sufferers are violent and dangerous
This is one of the worst mental illness myths as it contributes to the stigma surrounding mental illness. It is rare for people with a mental illness to be violent and dangerous.
5.) I can’t do anything to help a person with mental illness
- Reach out, let them know you’re available to talk
- Help them access the treatments they require
- Learn more about their condition so you know what they are going through
- Continue treating them with respect and friendship
This post was written by Harkn (formerly Happiness Lab) who are an exhibitor on the HRTech247 Health & Wellbeing and Employee Engagement floors. You can visit their HRTech247 exhibition stand and find out more about their re-brand here.
