Advice for Managing Mentally-ill Staff

Show concern and build trust

As a caring supervisor, you are no doubt concerned about the well being of your staff. The mentally/ex-mentally ill tend to have a lower self esteem. Your guidance at work and timely counselling will boost their confidence, relieve stress and even help reduce relapses of the illness. Through the concern you show during regular interactions, you can gain their trust and positive responses to your advice.

Non-judgemental

Keep an open mind and give the mentally ill a chance to prove their worth. In fact, given proper medical care and coaching, they should be able to perform their duties well and contribute towards a quality civil service.

Be observant

Management of the illness will be made much easier if the relapse can be detected as early as possible. Watch out for anomalies or unusual behaviors. Approach their family members and/or the case doctor if considered necessary.

Be calm

Aggressive outburst is extremely rare. However, there may be occasions when you have to deal with acute relapse of the illness. Stay calm and take suitable actions promptly to ensure the personal safety of the staff concerned, yourself and other colleagues around. Contact their family, the case doctor or even the police for assistance if the situation warrants.

Give support

With your support and understanding, your staff and his/her family will be able to cope with the illness better. This is in turn conducive to an earlier recovery. You may even render tangible support by providing information and referrals to other communal and medical services available.

(The information is drawn from the seminar on Management of Disabled Employees organized by CSTDI for the Executive Grade in November/December 1997.)

Elsie HUNG