We spend a huge chunk of our lives in the workplace, which means if the environment there isn’t healthy, it can mess with everything, especially your mental health. While company policies may help, managers are the real game-changers. In fact they can either make you fear Mondays or help you actually enjoy your job.
In today’s fast paced world, a good manager not only cares about the work but also about the mental health of their team. So, how managers can make a difference? Let’s break it down.

Importance of Mental Health
The first step for any manager is understanding that mental health is as important as physical health. After all, you wouldn’t try to run a race with a broken leg, right? Similarly trying to work while mentally tired isn’t much different. As a result, if your head is not in the right place, the productivity will drop.
Supportive Culture
- Managers have a direct effect on their team’s work environment. For instance, simple approaches like setting clear expectations, and providing constructive feedback, can go a long way in reducing stress.
- Furthermore, encouraging open communication to build trust.
- Overworking shouldn’t be normalized. Managers need to encourage work-life balance by respecting time-offs.
Empathy
- Empathy isn’t just a “good to have”, it’s a must-have. In fact, managers who lead with empathy are the ones who see their team as humans, not just employees. This helps build trust, reduce stress, and create a more engaged team.
- Managers need to take time to understand the challenges their team is facing. It goes a long way in building team morale.
Signs of Burnout
- No, managers are not expected to act as therapists, however, they can be aware of behavioural changes, such as withdrawal from colleagues, decreased productivity, or irritability.
- If someone’s struggling, they can suggest seeking professional help if needed.
Leading by Example
- Managers who take breaks, maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize their mental well-being set the tone for their team. By doing so they can actively promote self-care among their employees.
- When employees see their manager values mental health, they are more likely to follow the same.
The Bottom Line
Managers who prioritize mental well-being create a happier and productive workforce. Creating a supportive work environment starts with understanding the basics of how to improve mental health in the workplace. For those managers looking to take steps to support their teams, Saksham is a mental health app which offers mental health tracking tools and self-help resources as well. So Download now and start making mental health at work a priority!