May 2024
Mental Health Awareness Month:
Overcome Fear of Stigma to Seek Counseling
P
ersonal challenges can impact well-being, and mental distractions that often accompany them can keep you from feeling like your best self. Carilion Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is an easy path to help with challenges, but does stigma or embarrassment hold you back? You are sure of confidentiality, but you believe handling problems on your own better demonstrates you are not incompetent or weak. Here’s the big reveal: Nothing could be further from the truth. Seeking counseling is a courageous and proactive decision that demonstrates strength, self-awareness, and a commitment to personal growth. Just as you would seek medical care for a physical ailment, seeking counseling for challenges or emotional pain is a vital aspect of self-care. Today, employers are committed to fostering a culture of support where seeking counseling is encouraged. So, go for it. Make the call. Your future self will thank you for it.
Get the Positivity Back
in Your Team
D
oes your workplace team have a strong bond with a high level of trust? If not, getting the positivity back is probably easier than you think. Team morale will naturally erode if simple tasks that reinforce cohesiveness are ignored due to time pressures, deadlines, staff shortages, and overwork. This allows minor tensions and miscommunications to fester. So, create routine opportunities for facilitated discussions where the whole team can privately address conflicts, miscommunication, and perceived tensions to constructively resolve issues. Use this time to also clarify roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Dispel ambiguity and new potential sources of conflict. Now, witness how better you feel coming to work tomorrow.