Final answer:
The best way for Derek to make his staff members feel comfortable discussing their mental health challenges is by openly speaking about mental health challenges at work to create an environment of open dialogue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The BEST way for Derek to make his staff members feel comfortable talking about their mental health challenges is by speaking openly about mental health challenges at work to make others feel comfortable doing the same. By sharing his own experiences or discussing the topic in team meetings, Derek can create an environment that encourages open dialogue.
Ignoring the situation until someone breaks down at work or waiting for concerned staff members to approach him might lead to more challenges and a lack of support within the team. Assigning each employee a mental health counselor may not be feasible or necessary for everyone, and observing staff members to decide if they are suffering can be intrusive and may not provide an accurate understanding of their mental health.