Mental Health at Work

[Dr. A]

1. Introduction

• The majority of the world's population is the working lot. About 15 out of 100 adults in the working age group suffer from a mental health disorder. Without appropriate intervention, mental disorders can interfere with an individual’s working, learning and retaining capacity, confidence, identity and attendance at work.
• Anxiety and depression alone cause the majority of absentees at work and cost about one trillion USD per year, largely from diminished productivity. Despite work being one of the ways to combat mental disorders, those with severe mental health conditions are excluded from their jobs.
• Although work is a double-edged sword for those living with mental health disorders, work-related stress is preventable. A lot can be done to promote mental health and well-being at work and make the work environment more conducive to help those with mental health conditions to be more productive.

2. Coping with Job Stress

• Some of the many causes of stress in the workplace include heavy workload, job insecurities, tight deadlines, changes within the organization, change in duties, long hours, lack of autonomy and routine work.
• A few of the below-mentioned strategies offer effective stress management:
  • Effective time management can make a heavy workload easy to handle. Prioritization and organization of tasks, setting realistic deadlines, delegation of tasks, avoiding procrastination can all help tackle mountains of work in a shorter timeframe.
  • Mindfulness is a cognitive skill usually achieved through meditation and keeps one aware of the content of one’s own mind. It helps face stressors by cultivating resilience, regulates emotions and calms the mind. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and practicing gratitude can also be quite empowering and help relax your body and mind.
  • Adopt the four A’s: Avoid (stressors which can be avoided), Alter (what can be changed), Adapt (change yourself a bit) or Accept (what cannot be changed). Do not hesitate to seek professional support when the situation becomes overwhelming.
• Every workplace has its own stressors. An employer needs to be aware of this and of the negative impact it can have on his employees. An empathetic employer who invests in means of combating mental health conditions, such as webinars on wellness, paid sick-leaves, promoting healthy diet and exercise in the work environment and offer employee assistant programs, gains more output from his employees.

3. Mental Health -Friendly Workplaces

• A supportive work environment offers clear communication among all cadres, a well-balanced work-life, promotes inclusivity, offers recognition and rewards, growth opportunities and a positive work culture.
• Mental health policies and employee assistance programs avail a private, safe and easy way to seek help. It also encourages regular attendance at work, increases focus and productivity at work.
• Encouraging open and candid communication about mental health difficulties without fear of repercussions or judgement.
• Leadership is a keystone to a harmonious work culture that encourages active listening, transparency, is inspirational and approachable.

4. Balancing Work and Life

• When work obtrudes personal life, it causes mental instability, anxiety, stressed relationships and overall unhappiness. It leads to generalized apathy and decreased morale at work.

• Here are a few strategies for maintaining the work-life balance:
  • Set up clear work boundaries. Be bold and clear about when and how work should be tackled.
  • Prioritizing self-care and exploring various hobbies can also help to improve mental health.
  • Taking advantage of remote work and flexible work arrangements can also take off extra mental burden and make work seem effortless.

• Organizations can promote work-life balance by:
  • Focusing on productivity rather than hours
  • Availing vacations/breaks when needed
  • Offering flexible work arrangements
  • Superseding meetings with anachronous communication

5. Conclusion

• The long-term benefits of prioritizing mental health at work include better staff retention, increased staff attendance and therefore smooth running of an organization, improved productivity, boosting employers' and organization’s image.
• A work environment that encourages a culture of well-being and support, attracts new employees and retains the old ones.
• Some of the practical resources available for employees and employers to improve mental health awareness include organizing mental health awareness campaigns, offering regular mental health check-ups, making available the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), training persons within the company who are familiar with mental health issues to help their colleagues and using available medical resources within the workplace to address both mental and physical issues.

 

[Noble]

Definitely,For people with mental health conditions, decent work can contribute to recovery and inclusion,medical resources within the workplace can help to address both mental and physical issues. Same to improve confidence and social functioning.

 

[esprit_girl]

Promoting work-life balance in the workplace is important for preventing burnout. When employees experience burnout, their productivity and overall job satisfaction can decline immensely, which leads some to seek employment in environments that better support their well-being.

 

[Deep]

Work stress affects mental health. A supportive workplace, clear boundaries, mindfulness, and flexible work arrangements help. Employers should prioritize well-being, offer resources, and promote open communication for better productivity and employee satisfaction.

 

[Fidelia]

The challenge is that most workplaces are exploitative and see the staff as a means to an end. That's why some workplaces have toxicity to the staff as the major theme. I have told myself that I won't ever stay in a workplace an extra day if I experience toxicity.