Conversations on mental health issues may seem like the topic du jour, but we’re all discussing it for a reason. Across America, each day, the public discusses wellness, well-being, and work-life balance, as well as coping mechanisms. With growing stresses at home and work, we know that self-care is essential, particularly if an individual expects to enjoy their personal life, as well as get ahead professionally. For this reason, does this mean we should converse about mental health challenges at work, also? Significant members of the U.S. workforce experienced at least temporary hardship, depression, stress, or anxiety. Identifying this as a reality isn’t a bad thing, it just means that more has to be done to acknowledge the changes faced by team members and employees. Read on to learn some things we might do to aid depressed and stressed individuals on our teams: Educate The Managers: Managers should be the first ones to know that stress, anxiety, and depression can be complicated for certain individuals. For this reasons, it’s essential for managers to be trained to understand and identify those struggling with conditions. Colleague Support: Foster an environment that extinguishes stigmas around mental health challenges, encouraging team members understand the property terminology for disabilities and encouraging H.R. to discuss the reality of health conditions related to different challenges. A depressed employee is more likely to have long-term absences, and they become disengaged engaged and feel less committed to their work. If staff feel comfortable with the idea, they can normalize the conversation about mental health by creating an in-office support network. Thisn’t to say that colleagues or employers should carry the responsibility of resolving mental health issues. Simply, many dealing with a fragile state may merely require willing, judgment-free ear from a thoughtful individual. Counselors: Employees should seek out mental health counselors, whether that’s a psychologist or a life coach, who can help guide the things of someone going through a bout of depression. If a person has a pre-existing mental health condition in the workplace, they should be aware that counseling can sometimes be made available through an employee assistance program. Also, mental health charities can provide insight. Those bogged with mental health conditions can be fully functional members of the workforce. Some are helped by medication, while others go at it alone. What’s also essential is a need for societal attitudes toward mental health in the workplace to change. What are some other things that we might do to help companies and communities to develop a greater understanding of psychological and emotional health? This article was originally published at MichaelEParker.org