6 Ways Managers Can Support Mental Health

Last week, Naomi Osaka made a powerful statement by refusing to work at the expense of her health and mental wellness. 

Now more than ever, as we approach the end of the pandemic and return to a new normal, ignoring employees' mental and emotional wellness is simply not an option. Creating safe spaces of trust and vulnerability where people can say "I'm hurting" and "I need help," is just a start to building more inclusive workplaces where everyone belongs. 

Here are 6 tips from our CEO and co-founder, Mandy Price, on how managers can leverage inclusive leadership to build a company culture that supports mental health:

1. Notice and acknowledge the positive things people do and set criteria for evaluating positive achievements. 

2. When employees are experiencing a difficult personal situation, talk to them privately to find out what support may be useful and to express your concern. 

3. Regularly check in with people to see what they need to feel included. 

4. Seek feedback from others on how to be more inclusive. 

5. Let others know when their behaviors are unacceptable or unproductive for an inclusive culture. 

6. Engage in respectful and curious questioning to better understand others' viewpoints. Does your company foster an inclusive culture that supports mental health? 

Kanarys is Your DEI Champion

At Kanarys, we are the diversity, equity, and inclusion people with the data-driven approach. Since 2018, Kanarys has aimed to change the world by creating equitable workplaces where everyone belongs. We guide your organization’s DEI path every step of the way with courage and collaboration. It starts with data, analytics and insights, and continues with recommendations and implementation. 

Our mission, as your partner and champion in the ever-evolving DEI journey: Help you understand what it takes to foster lasting, systemic change today and for tomorrow. Because when you succeed with DEI, your employees can thrive—and so can your organization.