There are a lot of ingredients to creating a psychologically healthy and safe workplace. Many ingredients (i.e. psychosocial factors) are common to all workplaces — but workplaces need to be strategic and identify which ingredients they need more or less of. My recent poster presentation at the CMHA Working Stro is an infographic literature review on the importance of managers in workplace mental health.
My first job as an occupational therapist had so many helpful ingredients — a supportive senior therapist, resourceful and encouraging co-workers, and an autonomy-promoting manager, Ken, who let me make mistakes, annoy/offend a few turf-protecting community partners, and went to bat for me for my mis-steps. And my career through various settings has been characterized by managers who were interested in me and provided an environment for me to grow.
Of course, we know that is not the norm for many people. Managers occupy a vital role in our work lives — they control many personal and organizational resources — and have a lot to do with if we thrive or starve. Most of us have heard of the 2023 UKG report that people feel their manager has as much impact on their mental health as their spouse and more impact than their doctor or a therapist. That is because managers can help us shape our jobs (autonomy), recognize us as people, give feedback, and bring us training, sponsorship, and remove road blocks. When they withhold resources because they are absent or unkind of course we suffer. If we are experiencing problems in or outside of work with our health or work-life balance they can make or break our experience.
Fortunately, my managers over the years they have been responsive when I needed them and I’ve avoided very difficult circumstances. Yes, there have been bumps in the roads and not every situation has been perfect. My first manager set me on a great course.
Managers have a tremendous impact on us. The literature review is academic research focused on managers and follower mental health.
Lewis Health Management Consulting 