Handling Mental Health at Work
Promoting Well-Being and Productivity
in the Workplace
Objectives
Handling Mental Health at Work
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Self-Reflection Activity
3
Self-Reflection Activity:
How do you usually manage stress at work?
Reflect on your current coping mechanisms.
What physical or emotional signs do you notice when you’re feeling overwhelmed?
2 MINS
Close your eyes and reflect on these questions.
Why Mental Health Matters at Work
A significant percentage of employees experience stress or anxiety at work.
Poor mental health can lead to productivity loss and burnout.
Handling Mental Health at Work
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Common Workplace Mental Health Challenges
Handling Mental Health at Work
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STRESS
BURNOUT
ANXIETY/
DEPRESSION
WORKPLACE TENSIONS
Tight deadlines, workload, balancing life and work.
Prolonged stress leading to fatigue and disengagement.
Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or inadequate.
Conflicts, unclear roles, or lack of support.
Workplace Stressors Activity
7
Workplace�Stressors�Activity
Put your answers in the chat.
What are the top 3 things that cause you stress at work?
(Think about your team and organization)
Handling Mental Health at Work
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If you could change ONE thing to reduce stress at work, what would it be?
3 MINS
Recognizing Signs of �Mental Health Struggles
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Physical Signs: Fatigue, headaches, and frequent illness.
Emotional Signs: Irritability, withdrawal, and mood swings.
Behavioral Signs: Reduced productivity, absenteeism, and procrastination.
Supporting Mental Health �at Work Activity
10
Supporting Mental Health at Work Activity
Handling Mental Health at Work
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What actions or support from leadership would help you better manage your mental health at work?
Think about what you NEED and how leadership can help.
How comfortable do you feel talking about mental health with your manager or colleagues? Why or why not?
Put your answers in the chat.
3 MINS
Creating a Supportive Work Environment
Handling Mental Health at Work
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ENCOURAGE OPEN COMMUNICATION
PROVIDE RESOURCES
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Normalize conversations about mental health.
Access to EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs), wellness initiatives, and counseling.
Leadership should promote well-being and set healthy boundaries.
Team Collaboration on Mental Health Activity
13
Team Collaboration on Mental Health Activity
Handling Mental Health at Work
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How can we, as a team, better support each other’s mental health?
What are some ways we can promote a positive and mentally healthy workplace culture?
You will be partnered with a classmate and propose 3 solutions for the first question, and 2 solutions for the second question.
4 MINS
Practical Tips for Employees
Handling Mental Health at Work
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Self-Care Practices: Regular breaks, physical activity, mindfulness.
Time Management: Prioritize tasks and set achievable goals.
Seek Help When Needed: Know when to talk to a manager or access professional support.
Roles of Managers in Supporting Mental Health
Handling Mental Health at Work
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BE APPROACHABLE
MONITOR WORKLOAD
OFFER FLEXIBILITY
Foster a non-judgmental space.
Distribute work fairly, avoid unrealistic expectations.
Adapt work schedules for well-being when possible.
Manager and Team Support Activity
17
Manager and Team Support�Activity
You will be partnered with someone different from before to create 2 innovative solutions for each question in the first box.
Individually, list the first 3 things that come to mind in the chat to answer the question in the second box.
Handling Mental Health at Work
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How can managers better support mental health in their teams?
What would be a good icebreaker to initiate the conversation?
What would make you feel more supported by your coworkers when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
4 MINS
Work-Life Balance �Check-In Activity
Presentation title
19
Work-Life Balance Check-In Activity
Handling Mental Health at Work
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On a scale of 1-10, how well do you feel you manage your work-life balance?
What small change could you make this week to improve your work-life balance?
Put your answers in the chat.
2 MINS
Promoting a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Handling Mental Health at Work
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Encourage Breaks: Avoid “always-on” culture.
Flexible Working Options: Remote work and mental health days.
Respect Boundaries: No after-hours emails or calls unless urgent.
Mental Health and Productivity Activity
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Mental Health and Productivity Activity
Handling Mental Health at Work
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How does your mental health impact your productivity at work?
What tools or resources would help you maintain good mental health and stay productive?
Put your answers in the chat.
3 MINS
Company-Wide Mental Health Initiatives
Handling Mental Health at Work
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TRAINING & AWARENESS PROGRAMS
WELLNESS PROGRAMS
MENTAL HEALTH DAYS
Educating employees about mental health.
Yoga, meditation sessions, and fitness challenges.
Offering dedicated days off for self-care.
Benefits of Prioritizing Mental Health
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IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY
ENHANCED TEAM MORALE
RETENTION
Less absenteeism and more engagement.
Happier and more collaborative teams.
Reduced turnover and stronger employee loyalty.
Summary
Prioritizing mental health improves both well-being and work outcomes.
Begin conversations, use available resources, and make mental health a priority in everyday work culture.