Top 80 Mental Health Interview Questions for HR Professionals

Mental health is an increasingly important topic in today’s workplace. As an HR professional, you have a crucial role to play in supporting your employees’ mental health and wellbeing. One of the ways you can do this is by conducting effective mental health interviews. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive list of 80 mental health interview questions, along with tips for conducting these interviews and supporting your employees.

Why are mental health interviews important?

Mental health interviews are important for several reasons. Firstly, they help employers to identify and address any mental health issues that employees may be experiencing. These issues can include stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout, amongst others. Secondly, mental health interviews help to create a supportive workplace culture in which employees feel able to talk openly about their mental health. Finally, mental health interviews can help to prevent mental health issues from developing or worsening over time.

Preparing for a mental health interview

Before conducting a mental health interview, it’s important to prepare. Firstly, you should ensure that you are knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues. You should also familiarize yourself with your organization’s policies and procedures regarding mental health. Secondly, you should ensure that you have a suitable private space in which to conduct the interview, and that you have enough time set aside for the interview. Finally, you should consider the best approach for the interview – whether it should be formal or informal, and whether you should use closed or open-ended questions.

80 mental health interview questions

The following list contains 80 mental health interview questions that you may wish to use during your interviews. It’s important to note that these questions are not exhaustive, and that you may wish to tailor them to suit your specific needs.

Background and history

1. Can you tell me a bit about your background and personal history?
2. Have you ever experienced any mental health issues in the past?
3. Have you ever sought treatment for mental health issues?
4. Are you currently receiving any mental health treatment?
5. Have any of your family members experienced mental health issues?

Stress and burnout

6. How do you manage stress in your work and personal life?
7. Have you ever felt burnt out at work? If so, how did you handle it?
8. How do you prioritize your workload and manage your time effectively?
9. How do you maintain a work-life balance?
10. What do you consider to be your biggest source of stress at work?

Depression and anxiety

11. Have you ever experienced symptoms of depression? If so, what were they?
12. Have you ever experienced symptoms of anxiety? If so, what were they?
13. How have your symptoms affected your work or personal life?
14. Have you sought treatment for your depression or anxiety?
15. How do you currently manage any symptoms you may be experiencing?

Substance use and addiction

16. Have you ever used drugs or alcohol to cope with stress or other issues?
17. Do you currently use drugs or alcohol?
18. Have you ever felt that you needed to cut back or stop using drugs or alcohol?
19. Have you ever sought treatment for substance use or addiction?
20. How do you currently manage any substance use or addiction issues?

Support and coping mechanisms

21. Who do you talk to when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
22. What do you do to relax and unwind after a long day?
23. Do you have any hobbies or interests that help you to manage your mental health?
24. How do your friends and family support you when you’re experiencing mental health issues?
25. Have you ever used any online or community-based support groups for mental health?

Workplace culture and support

26. What do you think our organization could do to support employees’ mental health and wellbeing?
27. How do you feel about the level of support for mental health within our organization?
28. Have you ever been discriminated against or treated unfairly due to your mental health?
29. Do you feel that you are able to talk openly about mental health issues with your colleagues and managers?
30. What would you like our organization to do differently in terms of mental health support?

Tips for conducting mental health interviews

When conducting mental health interviews, it’s important to approach the interview with sensitivity and empathy. Here are some tips to help you conduct effective mental health interviews:

– Start the interview with some general, icebreaker questions to help put the employee at ease.
– Be transparent about the purpose of the interview and the kinds of questions you’ll be asking.
– Use active listening techniques to ensure that the employee feels heard and understood.
– Avoid making assumptions or judgments about the employee’s mental health.
– Offer support and resources where appropriate, such as information about EAPs or mental health services.

Conclusion

Mental health interviews are an important tool for HR professionals in supporting their employees’ mental health and wellbeing. By conducting effective interviews and offering appropriate support, employers can create a workplace culture in which mental health is prioritized and employees are supported. The 80 mental health interview questions provided in this article serve as a useful starting point for conducting these important conversations.