Communication and mental health

Workplaces need effective communication

Communication serves several essential functions in every organisation:

• It fosters 2-way sharing of information that everyone—workers, managers, supervisors, clients, customers—needs to do their work. 
• It shapes the work environment and culture. 
• It builds trust and commitment. 
• It enhances engagement and satisfaction.
• It reduces inefficiencies. 

Good communication in the workplace can reduce stressors and harm. It can create connections between people, which support mental wellbeing. Managers and workers both have responsibilities to communicate effectively. 

Good communication at work:

• helps set clear expectations about roles, tasks, responsibilities and entitlements
• helps resolve issues before they become major problems
• improves productivity and performance
• improves customer service
• raises job satisfaction
• reduces absenteeism and worker turnover rates
• provides avenues for questions and feedback. 

Clear communications can help prevent mental ill-health in the workplace. It also helps people experiencing mental ill-health recover. 

Relationships between communication and mental ill-health

Communication in the workplace can both affect, and be affected by, mental ill-health:

• Mental ill-health may affect how you communicate with others or how you receive communication in the workplace—depending on the situation, you may misread other people, send mixed signals or react without thinking consequences through, or feel traumatised or stigmatised by communication. 
• A lack of communication, or disrespectful, uninformed, poorly considered or aggressive communication can contribute to the experience of mental ill-health. 

Communication can reduce stigma about mental ill-health

Communicating about mental ill-health in a way that is neutral, open and non-confronting can also reduce stigma associated with mental ill-health. 

Key points about mental ill-health that can be communicated include:

• The prevalence rates in the Australian community—around 20% of Australians are affected by mental illness every year and 45% will experience a mental illness in their lifetime.
• Most people will be affected by mental ill-health in their lifetime in one way or another, either personally or through family and friends. So, almost every workplace will have staff with experience of mental ill-health.
• Just like physical illness, mental ill-health can affect us irrespective of age, job, background or personality. And just like physical illness, there may be some signs that suggest someone may be living with mental ill-health. 
• Everyone responds differently to the stresses of life and it is common to describe ourselves as ‘stressed’, ‘anxious’, ‘sad’, ‘unmotivated’ or ‘depressed’. Sometimes, people seek advice and support to manage these feelings.

Communication is a 2-way process

When communicating with others, it may be common to focus on what we want to say. However, effective communication also involves listening—understanding the words and emotions the speaker is trying to convey. 

Engaged listening not only helps you understand the other person; it makes that person feel heard and understood, which in turn supports stronger, deeper connections. Engaged listening can also support mental health and wellbeing by lowering the stress of someone who is speaking. For example, actively listening to an agitated person can also calm them, by helping them to feel understood.

'Communicating' can be simple as asking someone how their day is going, what they're working on, do they need any help. Asking some follow up questions shows you are listening. 

Tips for engaged listening

Try these tips to become an engaged listener:

• Focus fully on the speaker. 
• Avoid interrupting or trying to redirect the conversation to your concerns. 
• Show your interest in what’s being said. 
• Try to set aside judgement. 
• Pay attention to non-verbal signals. 
• Seek confirmation or clarification about messages.