Hybrid work has many benefits but it also presents challenges that can impact mental health. As a supervisor or leader, it is important to be proactive in taking action to support your mental health and resilience, as well as the mental health and resilience of your direct reports and teams.

There are many things you can do to make the mental health of you and your team a priority. To start, you should try to understand the factors that contribute to overall mental health and the factors that make it more difficult for us to cope with challenges.

How do I support the mental health of my team in a hybrid work environment?

Visit UBC's comprehensive mental health resources for leaders page, which includes information specific to remote leaders.

Share the link to UBC's comprehensive faculty and staff mental health resources page with your team.

Suggest that individuals learn about mental health through UBC Thrive, an annual mental health literacy campaign that includes virtual events.

Ensure your teams know how and where to register for mental health training or education programs:

• Visit UBC's mental health training, on-demand workshops and consulting services page for a full list of available training programs.
• You can also search under "Wellbeing" in the Workplace Learning Catalogue for upcoming training.

Consider enrolling your department or unit in the Not Myself Today program. This evidence-informed workplace mental health initiative includes a digital portal with downloadable learning materials, activities and resources to support mental health in the workplace.

My team is working remotely and I’m looking for general tips to support their mental health

Ensure ongoing communication and connection: Encourage ongoing formal and informal opportunities for virtual connection within your team. Use virtual meeting options with video on. Share community events. Reinforce that you are accessible to meet with direct reports as needed to address concerns. Embed a wellbeing check-in in one-on-one and team conversations.

Encourage your team members to support their wellbeing: Openly acknowledge the importance of mental health. Frequently share services and resources that are available virtually or by phone to support faculty and staff wellbeing including EFAP and extended health benefits. See how our benefits helped leaders support faculty and staff in these scenarios.

Recognize the impact of isolation: Look out for significant changes in a team member’s personality or work, as it may be a sign that they are struggling or need support.

Foster an appreciative work culture: Thank individuals and teams for their ongoing contributions regularly. Recognize efforts especially when workload and uncertainty are high.

Be flexible and encourage work life balance: Model supportive behaviours such as taking vacations and breaks, practice self-care and prioritize and balance your workload. Encourage flexible approaches to work hours when appropriate. And don’t forget to manage your own stress, here are a few tips to help you stay on track.

Ref: Bersin, J., Sull, C., Sull, D., O'Reilly For Higher Education (2020). Five Ways Leaders Can Support Remote Work. MIT Sloan Management Review.

Support mental health and resilience

UBC recognizes the key role that mental health plays in the workplace. Mental health impacts everyone at UBC, not just those with a mental illness. We are committed to enhancing mental health and resilience for all. This includes increasing mental health literacy and focusing on decreasing mental health stigma while equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive.

• Create opportunities for your team to stay connected and openly discuss mental wellbeing at meetings, performance reviews, or through other communications channels on a regular basis. Learn more about having supportive conversations.
   
• Acknowledge the importance of mental health in the workplace and model implementing strategies to support your mental health.
   
• Support your team members to implement strategies to support their mental health, including participating in programs. There are many UBC and community resources compiled for you as a leader that you can then share with your team.
   
• Create a psychologically safe environment that allows employees to raise issues around workload capacity or to manage requests with clear boundaries and expectations. Role model these behaviours when able.
   
• Recognize the impact of isolation and loneliness from working remotely. Pay attention to significant changes in a team member’s personality or work, as it may be a sign that they are struggling and check-in on their wellbeing.

On-demand learning

Access UBC’s Linkedin Learning remote work playlist, specifically curated to support leaders in building personal wellbeing and team resilience and the creation and maintenance of healthy and inclusive leadership practices. Discover strategies and tools to enhance mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and across teams, boost social intelligence, and support equitable and inclusive workplaces.

• Strengthening Wellbeing and Resilience for UBC Leaders
• Leading and Managing Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Communities at UBC

Hybrid work has many benefits but it can also present challenges that can affect your mental health.

It is important to be proactive and take action to support your mental health and resilience. There are many things you can do to make your mental health a priority — start by familiarizing yourself with the information and resources below.

Professional support for your mental health

Faculty and staff at UBC can access benefits for counselling in two ways:

1. Book an appointment with a registered clinical counsellor or psychologist in your area and use your extended health benefits to cover 100% of the reasonable and customary costs up to $3,000 per calendar year.
2. Call the Employee and Family Assistance Program at 1-866-424-0770 or visit www.worklifehealth.com. Please note that this program is intended focused on short-term support, and there may be a wait time based on your availability.

Visit the Assisting Staff and Faculty in Distress webpage for a list of UBC and community resources that are accessible by phone or online.

Visit UBC's comprehensive staff and faculty mental health resources, including information for remote workers.

Tips to maintain your mental health while working remotely

• Create and maintain a regular schedule and work routine: experiment with and identify practices that support your productivity and wellbeing while working. Take your entitled breaks by blocking time off in your calendar, and Include breaks that involve time away from screens. Take a look at our Thriving While Working from Home article for more tips.
• Find time to move in your day: ensure you take movement breaks. Try walking during phone meetings. Take time to stand up or stretch to avoid sitting in the same position for long periods. In short, find ways to stay active. Visit the UBC Recreation Get Moving page for great resources to get you started. 
• Stay connected: working remotely requires intentional and planned communication in order to prevent isolation. Identify different channels available for communicating with your supervisor and colleagues and be sure to use them regularly.
• Support your social wellbeing: reach out and schedule time to informally connect with colleagues. Create space at the start or end of meetings for conversation. Attend virtual community events.
• Create boundaries between remote work and life: have a designated space for remote work. Consider including your work hours in your email signature. Block off non-working hours. Leave work-related equipment and materials in their designated space.

On-demand learning

Access UBC’s Linkedin Learning remote work playlist, specifically curated to support faculty and staff in building wellbeing and resiliency skills as well as healthy and inclusive practices. Discover strategies and tools to enhance overall mental health and wellbeing, boost social intelligence, and support inclusive workplaces.

• Strengthening Wellbeing and Resilience at UBC
• Building Healthy and Inclusive Communities at UBC

Learn more

• Learn about mental health in this short video: What is Mental Health?
• Explore ways you can talk about your mental health.
• Take a Mental Health Self-Check using the Mental Health Continuum Model from the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

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