How can organisations support employees experiencing anxiety?

Most of us are familiar with the word anxiety, but do you know that anxiety can manifest in a variety of different ways and effects everyone differently?

Sometimes individuals who experience anxiety mask at work as a coping mechanism. This may result in them appearing very confident or outwardly positive whereas internally they are struggling. Perhaps they are experiencing negative self-talk, self-sabotage, imposter syndrome and internalised ableism. If left unmanaged, this may result in increased low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, increased fatigue, declining work performance, changes in behaviour and eventually contribute to burnout.

So how can organisations support employees experiencing anxiety?

🌻 Ensure there are opportunities to connect with the employee for confidential 1:1 conversations.
🌻 Discuss reasonable adjustments and ask the employee what support may be helpful
🌻 Check-in regularly. Be inclusive and consultative. Involve the employee and don't make assumptions on their behalf
🌻 Be flexible and adaptive
🌻 Provide an eco-system of support such as a buddy, access to EAP services and access to HR.
🌻 Provide mental health education and capacity building to the wider organisation
🌻 Be kind. Practice patience and understanding
🌻 Work towards creating a psychologically safe work environment where it is safe to be venerable

If you have experienced anxiety at work, what support has been helpful for you? Please comment below.

This visual was created by SelfLoveRainbow and shared via their Instagram account.