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Mental health support shouldn’t just offer help to employees, it is most effective when this is also extended to their family, particularly dependent children.
Why supporting employees with their children’s mental health is good for your business?
Young people experience lots of physical and mental changes as they grow. This journey isn’t always easy, and it can be hard for parents if their child is experiencing mental health troubles. When a young person is struggling with their mental health, it can impact their family and figuring out the best way to help and finding the right support can be tough.
What struggles might caregivers face?
Taking care of others can make relationships at home and work difficult, and without a good support network of friends or family, people could feel alone.
This feeling of loneliness can have the potential of increased anxiety in caregivers who may worry that they’re not doing enough to support their child. This worry can make them doubt themselves, which might make it harder for them to perform at their best at work.
Sometimes a caregiver might need to take time off to attend school meetings, doctor’s appointments, or therapy sessions. Families might need to go to therapy or counselling together to help with mental health issues. Juggling these factors can be very overwhelming and might make them feel more stressed when they come to work commitments.
Why is it important for people managers to support caregivers?
If you’re a people manager and if someone in your team is taking care of a child with mental health challenges, they might need your help. It’s important for you to understand their needs. If you’re not aware of their needs or the challenges they face at home, it’ll be hard for you to help them. They might end up keeping things to themselves which can lead to caregiver burnout where they can experience physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion due to prioritising a loved one’s wellbeing over their own. This often leaves them with little time for self-care, which can negatively impact their mental health if they don’t take breaks for themselves.
How can you tell if a worker is having a hard time outside of work?
It’s good to know your team well, but sometimes you can’t tell if someone is really stressed. That’s why it’s key to make everyone feel comfortable when asking for help when they need it.
People who take care of others often forget to take care of themselves, especially if they don’t have friends or family to help.
They may also experience:
• increased absence
• appearing tired, anxious, or withdrawn
• reduced productivity
• changes in their mood or how they interact with colleagues
• needing to make lots of personal phone calls
As their people manager, it’s important to be there to listen when they have no one else. When you support your workers, you show them you really care. This helps them feel strong enough to keep working and do a great job.
How can managers support caregivers?
- Learn about your team member.
Take the time to listen and understand them to see how you can support them. Being heard can really help someone feel better.
- Be adaptable.
Think about allowing them to work from home, start late, or finish early.
- Build a welcoming environment.
Fight against any stigma and encourage open and honest communication so that those taking care of others feel okay asking for help.
- Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
If available, suggest they use the Employee Assistance Programme. It offers private, professional help.
- Point out where to get mental health help.
Ensure they know where to find assistance for themselves and their family.
Supporting someone who is looking after a young person with mental health can be difficult. To make it easier Bupa has worked closely with our partner, JAAQ, to share insights on supporting working parents. Visit Bupa.co.uk to find out how you can support working families live healthier.
