The 7 Energies of Mental Health

The 7 Energies of Mental Health

How School Leaders Can Drive Initiatives to Improve Team Dynamics, Beat Burnout, and Encourage a Positive Workplace

By Kristen Brown, CSP

In today’s fast-paced world, mental health is critical to employee well-being, beating burnout, and driving organizational success. Leaders at all levels play a pivotal role in building a mentally healthy workplace. Leaders can effectively drive mental health initiatives by leveraging the seven energies of Vision, Strategy, Communication, Relationships, Confidence, Creativity, and Motivation.

Here’s how each of the 7 Energies impacts mental health and actionable steps leaders can take.

1 Vision Energy

■ Impact on Mental Health: Vision provides direction and purpose. When employees understand and connect with the organization’s vision, it enhances their sense of belonging and purpose, boosting their mental wellness.

■ Action Step: Articulate a clear vision that prioritizes mental health. Organize sessions where this vision is communicated and employees are encouraged to share their thoughts. This fosters an environment where mental health is valued as part of the company’s future.

2 Strategy Energy

■ Impact on Mental Health: A well-defined strategy that includes mental health initiatives ensures systematic support for employee wellness.

■ Action Step: Develop a comprehensive mental health strategy. This could include regular wellness check-ins, access to mental health resources, and training for managers on mental health awareness. Ensure this strategy is integrated into the broader organizational strategy, showing commitment at all levels.

3 Communication Energy

■ Impact on Mental Health: Open and empathetic communication can destigmatize mental health issues, making it easier for employees to seek help.

■ Action Step: Create channels for open communication about mental health. This could be regular team meetings focused on well-being, anonymous feedback tools, or mental health newsletters. Ensure that the tone is always empathetic and supportive.

4 Relationship Energy

■ Impact on Mental Health: Positive workplace relationships provide support and reduce feelings of isolation and stress.

■ Action Step: Encourage teambuilding activities and peersupport programs. Leaders should model this by building strong relationships with their teams, showing genuine interest and concern for their team members’ well-being.

6.Creativity Energy

■ Impact on Mental Health: Creative expression can be a therapeutic and powerful tool for coping with stress, leading to a more positive mental state.

■ Action Step: Encourage a creative work environment. Ask employees to think outside the box and offer creative solutions for workplace challenges, including mental health initiatives. This could involve brainstorming sessions, innovation labs, or even artbased therapy workshops.

Wrapping Up

5.Confidence Energy

■ Impact on Mental Health: Confidence in the workplace can reduce anxiety and improve mental health. When leaders show confidence in their employees’ abilities, it boosts their self-esteem and job satisfaction.

■ Action Step: Empower employee confidence by recognizing their achievements and providing growth opportunities. Create a safe space for failure, emphasizing learning and improvement over criticism.

7.Motivation Energy

■ Impact on Mental Health: A motivated workforce is more engaged and less prone to burnout. Recognizing and addressing the unique motivators of each individual employee can significantly improve their mental health.

■ Action Step: Understand what motivates your employees. This could be professional development, recognition, or work-life balance. Incorporate these motivators into your mental health initiatives.

By harnessing the 7 Energies, leaders can create a more supportive, empathetic, and healthy work environment. Mental health is not just an individual issue but a collective goal that requires thoughtful leadership and a proactive approach. The journey toward a mentally healthy workplace is ongoing and evolves with the organization and its people. Leaders who are committed to using the 7 Energies to support mental health initiatives will enhance their employees’ well-being and contribute to a more productive, creative, and resilient organization. ■

Kristen Brown is a Certified Speaking Professional who redefines the energy of leadership in the modern workplace. Drawing from her transformative experiences as a young widow and 15 years in corporate leadership, Kristen’s keynotes have revolutionized workplace dynamics for giants like Microsoft, General Mills, and Target, small businesses across industries, associations, and everything in between. Brown will be the keynote speaker at the CCOSA Women in School Leadership Conference held at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City on March 27-28. Learn more at KristenBrownPresents.com