MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS – A PREREQUISITE FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

Acquiring crucial leadership skills makes you a great leader. But, what if I tell you that possessing mental health awareness makes you an effective leader? Yes, mental health awareness is often an overlooked yet crucial leadership skill.

According to research, 1 in 5 adults has a diagnosable mental illness at some point each year, not excluding the 50% who receive no treatment. Due to the ongoing economic effect and the rising cost of living, mental health difficulties are affecting people at every socioeconomic and professional level, from minimum wage laborers to Leaders.  Leave alone workplace bully and toxic working environment.

In addition to being apathetic, emotionally unstable, and in the worst case, abusing drugs or even self-harming, a working adult’s compromised mental health and well-being reflect their productivity and output. Now, could all the leaders, handle mental health-related issues at their workplace? Yes, certainly. However, would the outcome be favorable, unbiased, and destigmatized to the affected staff? The answer would make you a skeptic.

How prepared are the leaders in handling mental health challenges?

Due to a lack of resources, the majority of leaders do not feel empowered. Few publications specifically highlight a leader’s ability to manage or support mental health-related issues at work. Typically, leaders show up unprepared in handling Mental Health matters. Therefore, it becomes crucial for leaders to have the required understanding and compassion for mental health.

How does the efficacy of a leader relate to mental health awareness?

Simply put, it enhances one’s leadership by transforming one into a human-centered leader. This ultimately encourages the leaders to establish their strength by accepting vulnerability and practicing wisdom through creating environments in which their staff can be creative, psychologically comfortable, and transparent about their mental health.

What changes can be anticipated as a result of developing this leadership skill?

Leaders have the ability to use their influence to foster the kind of work environment that encourages mental and emotional health. An effective leader always practices his skill, and this is reflected in their actions. For instance, they may start spending more time with the staff beyond working hours, sharing personal experiences, and even setting an example of self-assurance and self-care. Given that this involves psychological and social interventions; a fundamental paradigm shift may occur.

Moreover, the leaders would establish a culture of camaraderie and psychological safety, which might promote the team members’ highest levels of productivity by ensuring that they had the necessary sustenance and an emotionally healthy environment. Studies suggest that workers who discuss their mental health openly at work experience lower levels of stress, greater confidence and increased productivity.

I may conclude by saying that while leaders are not required to identify and treat mental health problems, however acquiring the skill enable them to assess the problems within their team. They could still demonstrate empathy and compassion while keeping in mind the accountability for individual tasks. In short, they may promote both compassion and accountability together rather than having to make a choice between the two.

Sivasanker Subramaniam

Diagnostic Lab Manager

MAHSA Health Sdn. Bhd.