Psychological Safety in Practice: A Guidebook for Managers
a
guidebook
by
CEO
Health
+
Safety
Leadership
Network
12
Manage Risk Factors for Anxiety and Depression
It is important to be mindful of the higher-than-normal degrees of anxiety and
depression that exist and to take steps to manage risk factors. Lending support
doesn't require you to be an expert, you just need to be observant and manage risk
factors that are within your control.
How would you and your team members answer these questions?
1. Is my team/organization actively promoting a sense of integration and belonging
in the workplace? (Yes/Somewhat/Not really)
2. Do we clearly communicate the value of each individual employee to the
organization? (Yes/Somewhat/Not really)
3. Do we help our employees learn to manage their thoughts and emotions?
(Yes/Somewhat/Not really)
4. What is the level of worry on my team and in the organization?
(Low/Moderate/High/Unsure)
5. Does the organization promote a culture of rest and rejuvenation?
(Yes/Somewhat/Not really)
Mental health is something that we should all proactively manage with the same rigor
and diligence that we do physical health. Mental illnesses are diagnosed and require
treatment or intervention. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada
2
60% of people with a mental health problem or illness won't seek help for fear
of being labelled.
As managers, you need to stay up to date on all the resources and supports your
workplace offers to employees who are experiencing higher levels of anxiety or
depression and talk openly and regularly to make sure your team knows how to
access them.
If you or a member of your team is experiencing symptoms consistent with
depression, you can use Beck's Depression Inventory to assess your state of mind
and determine the support you need. It might be that you can build adjustments into
your day to address what you're feeling, or you may need to seek professional help.
2 Mental Health Commission of Canada, Opening Minds, retrieved from: https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/opening-
minds/#:~:text=60%25%20of%20people%20with%20a,stigma%20related%20to%20mental%20illness.
" Mental Health:
A state of well-
being in which every
individual realizes
[their] own abilities,
can cope with the
normal stresses
of life, can work
productively and
fruitfully, and
is able to make
a contribution to
[their] community."
— World Health
Organization
