I am not a mental health expert. I am just one comms person trying to continue the conversation about the mental health challenges we face in our industry after having my own eyes opened wide to this negative stigma.
Internal communications need to continually champion audience knowledge expertise. But like us, our subject matter experts, project managers, initiative leaders and internal clients need to have the same definition and understanding of our audiences now, not later. Truth be known, we are all guests now in the homes of our remote workforce. A company’s ask of employees leaving the home to come to work is certainly bigger and worthy of intentional respect for the employee.
The internal communications professional can now be the visible architect and champion of the new virtual headquarters. The water cooler can be in our domain. We can lean into this important role and own the hallways, meeting rooms and the precise instance when connection occurs. We have always owned and fostered connection. Now we can play a larger role.
No doubt our organizations tend to come together in times of crisis. We will see our colleagues shine and go above and beyond as our organizations manage through. But checking in on how you are managing is important. You need to understand your own oxygen mask and how to use it. Now is a good time to do so.
