May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’ve all been through a lot in the last year. Mental health conditions are the leading cause of disability across the United States, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We care about the health of our employees and clients, and we hope the following  advice and tips from experts can help you prioritize your mental health.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

People experiencing mental health conditions can face rejection, bullying and discrimination, making recovery difficult. Even though most people can be successfully treated, less than half of the adults in America who need services and treatment get the help they need. Below are some suggestions about how you can make a difference in the workplace.

Check in with colleagues and employees to make sure they feel well and comfortable at work. The organization Mental Health First Aid suggests starting the conversation with phrases such as:

• “I’ve noticed you’ve been more quiet than usual and wondered if you’re OK?”
• “Would you like to talk?”
• “It sounds like you’re having a difficult time.”

When having this conversation, remember to listen without judgment.

Learn to recognize when a colleague or employee is struggling. Signs and symptoms for anxiety and depression can be different in each person. At work, some signs could be missed deadlines, procrastination, coming in late, frequent errors, and low energy.

Provide reassurance and support. Mental Health First Aid provides suggestions on how to do this:

• Be respectful.
• Show that you’re listening.
• Use positive, hopeful language.
• Avoid giving advice.
• Be a caring colleague.

Remember as well to give yourself some mental health first aid by taking a few minutes each day for yourself. Whether it’s a 5-minute meditation or walk around the block, be sure to prioritize your mental health.

Mister Kleen is a leading provider of contract cleaning services to Commercial and High Security facilities, including SCIFs, since 1976. Our primary service area is the DC Metro region. We also provide a variety of interior and exterior specialty services, including Disinfection services.