Understand the Importance of Talking About Mental Health

Learning Objectives

After completing this unit, you’ll be able to:

Explain the importance of normalizing mental health discussions.
Start a conversation about your mental health.

Why It’s Important to Talk About Mental Health

Challenges and chronic stress brought on by global concerns, racial injustices, work-life stressors, and more can take a toll on your mental health and wellbeing. It’s important to discuss and address these types of struggles. At Salesforce, it’s something we do routinely, but it’s not always easy to talk about (especially at work).

Mental health can go unspoken in workplace cultures and society at large. Many people who are languishing or suffering may worry they will be viewed as weak, poorly adjusted, or unable to cope with changes in their lives—which causes them to struggle in silence or alone.

We are fortunate to live in a time when talking about mental health is becoming increasingly normalized across the globe—from Olympic athletes to members of the royal family to leaders, and people like you. The more we can all be aware of our own (and others’) mental health and the resources available to us, the better we’ll be at supporting ourselves and one another in nurturing our wellbeing.

So, how can we continue to normalize conversations about mental health and help reduce stigma? Sharing our stories can be a great place to start. Studies, like the one at Griffith University in Southport, Australia, find that sharing stories can help us reduce stigma and find support and connection. Throughout this module, we explore ways to check in, start, and continue the conversation about mental health.

It’s OK to Ask for Help

Just as we seek out personal trainers, massage therapists, doctors, and others for our physical health, it’s equally important to seek out the same support for our mental health.

Start by sharing how you’re feeling with someone you trust. It can be as simple as, “Do you have a minute to talk? I’ve been feeling really lonely and isolated lately and could use a listening ear.” This could be a partner, a friend, or anyone you feel close to. If you need extra support, you might want to seek counseling, or look into other resources your employer or community offer.

It takes courage to reach out and get the support you need—and the sooner you can get help, the better you’ll feel. In fact, finding social support will help you recover more quickly from stress and help prevent languishing or mental illness.

All of this said, you should never feel forced to talk about your mental health if you aren’t comfortable doing so. Privacy is an important boundary, and it should be respected. But if you’re ever open to discussing your mental health, reach out to someone you trust to listen.

Having honest and open conversations about mental health can help reduce the stigma. The more we openly discuss mental health and share our own struggles, the more awareness everyone will have around it.

Use Benefits and Resources

There is no shame in asking for help when you need it—in fact, asking for help takes courage. Know the benefits and mental health resources your employer offers, and ask your manager or Human Resources (HR) leader if you’re not sure. Common resources and programs include counseling, coaching, and work-life services. Your employer also likely offers an employee assistance program (EAP), which may provide confidential, short-term counseling and referrals to employees who are struggling. This means you have a safe space to talk to someone confidentially who is there to support you.

It also might sound intimidating to talk to your manager about challenges you’re facing, but if you have a solid and trusting relationship, chances are your manager will genuinely appreciate your transparency and want to help. They can help you with prioritizing, taking time off, and understanding the resources available to you.

Let’s Sum It Up

When mental health issues go unspoken, they tend to grow and become even more of a struggle. Fortunately, we live in a time when mental health discussions are becoming normalized, and there are more resources available than ever. There is no shame in reaching out for help—whether at or outside work—when we need it.

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