How do you deal with mental health issues when employees share that they’re having trouble in that area?

Our reader poll today asks: How do you deal with mental health issues when employees share that they’re having trouble in that area?

• I immediately refer them to company and medical resources that can help them 65.86%
• I suggest they go speak with HR about resources available 28.29%
• I avoid the conversation and hope it goes away 3.90%
• I tell them those are personal matters that they need to figure out on their own 1.95%

Help your people access resources. It’s encouraging to read that 94% of you refer employees facing mental health issues to resources that can help them. If they’re coming to you and sharing that they’re having trouble, step up and help them. Overcoming the fear and stigma of admitting you’re facing a mental health issue is a tremendous step forward for someone and often a cry for help. For the 6% of you turning these people away or ignoring them, you could be reinforcing the stigma around mental health issues. The least you can do is refer them to a human resources colleague who will usually have immediate access to resources that can help the person. Mental health issues are no joke and they can carry life-threatening consequences if they’re not addressed. You owe it to your people to help them find the assistance they’re seeking.

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

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These results were originally a SmartPulse poll in SmartBrief on Leadership which tracks feedback from more than 240,000 business leaders. Get smarter on leadership and sign up for the SmartBrief on Leadership e-newsletter.