How To Seek Emotional Support at Work- A Guide | Disabled Person
The above picture is of a man comforting a woman who is stressed on a park bench.
How To Seek Emotional Support and Discuss Mental Health at Work
94% of American workers report feeling stressed at work, with over a quarter risking burnout.
Work-related stress is extremely common, and if you have a mental health condition or disability, stress at work can be especially heavy to bear.
It can be hard talking about mental health in the workplace, but seeking emotional support may be the key to preserving your own well-being and being a productive member of your team.
Here's how to start discussing mental health at work to get the support you deserve.
Identify Triggers
If your mental health is getting in the way of your work, it's important to pinpoint the triggers and conditions causing this.
Do you feel most overwhelmed before performance reviews? Do you struggle during the busy season? Or are you experiencing workplace harassment?
Get to know the patterns and situations that challenge your mental health at work the most.
Then, to the best of your ability, take responsibility for what you can do on your own. Learning new coping strategies and starting a mental reset routine can help you handle work stress better.
But remember, you don't have to solve all your problems on your own. Seeking help is still a valid and necessary part of improving mental health at work.
Review Policies and Employee Rights
As you prepare to seek emotional support at work, it can be helpful to know exactly what policies are in place to protect you.
Some of these may be specific to your workplace or company. Others are based on where you live.
For example, in the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act states that employees can't be discriminated against due to their disabilities, including mental health conditions. And employers are expected to provide reasonable accommodations to support workers with disabilities.
Identify the benefits and protections available to you. This may help boost your confidence when you open up about mental health with a boss or other leader in your workplace.
Consider Accommodations
Because employers must provide reasonable accommodations to employees, you may want to consider what accommodations would be beneficial for you.
Some accommodations include:
- remote work
- flextime
- getting permission to schedule a therapy session during work hours
- taking time off
- breaks throughout the day
- quiet or private workspaces
- support animals
There's nothing wrong with receiving accommodations. In fact, they can be a win-win solution: you feel more comfortable at work, and your employer benefits from your increased productivity in the process.
Talk With Peers
Before discussing mental health concerns with a leader or manager, try talking to a peer about your struggles.
This could be another employee in a similar position, or it could be a friend or contact not related to your job.
Either way, talking with a trusted peer can help you understand your struggles better and feel more confident approaching a higher-up at work. You may discover that a coworker or friend is experiencing similar struggles to you, which can help you feel less alone and more validated.
Find a Safe Leader
It's important to identify a trusted leader at your work who you can speak openly with, without fearing judgment. You may choose to talk to your boss, an HR person, or another manager.
The person you choose should be someone who has demonstrated kindness and empathy.
And they may be someone who has discussed their own mental health conditions or workplace stress before. Ideally, they're someone who you can look up to as a responsible leader and who exemplifies emotional support and psychological safety.
Start the Conversation
You've identified a safe person to talk to at work, and you've considered accommodations.
Set up a meeting with your boss, member of HR, or manager. If you can, choose a time and day that are relatively quiet, free of distractions or pressing deadlines.
Suggest that you meet in a private space or ask to leave the office to go on a walk or to a cafe so you can comfortably discuss your feelings and needs.
Before the meeting, prepare any documentation (such as a letter from a therapist) you may need. Also, have an idea of what you'd like to express and the request you'd like to make.
Knowing exactly what workplace-related changes and accommodations you need helps keep the conversation professional.
Remember, there's nothing shameful about discussing mental health at work. But the conversation should have a clear purpose and point without getting into unnecessary or overly-personal details.
Only share what you feel comfortable sharing, and know what you'd like to accomplish by opening up.
When to Seek Additional Help
A leader from your workplace has a responsibility to support you at work so you can complete your tasks without excessive stress or struggle.
And ideally, they'll continue to be a source of emotional support and safety after your conversation.
But a boss or coworker can't substitute a mental health professional such as a therapist. Continue to take care of yourself and seek the additional help you need to protect your mental health.
Also, keep in mind that not all workplaces will be suitable for everyone. You may decide that a stressful job lacks the positive culture you need to thrive.
You have the right to feel safe at work. And sometimes, the best solution is finding an environment that accepts and understands the diverse needs of their employees.
Find a Job Offering Mental and Emotional Support
If you're struggling to receive emotional support at work or your job is taking a major toll on your mental health, find a new opportunity that honors your unique needs and accommodations.
Browse our disability job board to find the perfect job for you. Start searching now for your next opportunity!