.jpg)
Mental illnesses are commonly misunderstood and neglected, and mental health was rarely considered a popular concern until recently. Mental health in the workplace demands more attention as a crucial part of overall well-being. Employees who are suffering from mental illness require a lot of help and resources.
The World Health Organization defines mental health as "a condition of well-being in which an individual recognizes his or her own potential, can manage with typical life challenges, can work creatively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community." Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and even social well-being, and it has an impact on how he or she acts, thinks, and feels. Mental health, according to the WHO, is more than just the absence of a mental disorder. When constructing a thorough definition of mental health, numerous elements must be taken into account.
The normalizing of mental health difficulties at work is a glimmer of hope amid all the chaos and trauma. Employers were only beginning to recognize the prevalence of these issues in 2019, the need to overcome stigma, and the increasing link between diversity, equity, and inclusion in 2019. (DEI). Mental health support became a serious business need in 2020, moving from a nice-to-have to a true business imperative. In 2021, the stakes have been elevated even higher, thanks to a greater understanding of the workplace issues that might contribute to poor mental health, as well as a greater urgency regarding its intersections with DEI.
Employers have responded with mental health days or weeks, four-day workweeks, and improved counseling benefits or apps, but they are insufficient. Employees demand and expect long-term, mentally healthy work environments, which necessitates tackling the difficult task of cultural transformation. It's not enough to just provide the latest apps or use buzzwords like "well-being" or "mental fitness." Employers must make the link between their words and their actions.
Want to learn more about What is somatic therapy and how it can help you with Anxiety? Click HERE
Employee Mental Health Conditions Attrition is on the rise.
More employees are quitting their employment due to mental health issues, particularly those brought on by workplace conditions such as overwork. While attrition rates in 2019 were already very high, they have recently risen even higher. Sixty-eight percent of Millennials (50 percent in 2019) and 81 percent of Generation Z (75 percent in 2019) had willingly or involuntarily left jobs due to mental health issues, compared to 50 percent of respondents overall (34 percent in 2019). A company's culture should support mental health, according to 91% of respondents, up from 86% in 2019.
Incredibly common.
Employees at all levels of a business are now dealing with mental health issues. In the previous year, 76% of respondents said they had had at least one symptom of a mental health issue, up from 59% in 2019. While this is unsurprising given the numerous macro pressures, data confirms that mental health issues affect practically everyone on a regular basis.
The widespread notice must be given.
In 2019, more employees are discussing mental health at work than in previous years. In the previous year, over two-thirds of respondents told someone at work about their mental health. This is a significant step forward, particularly in terms of eliminating stigma, which influences people's inclination to seek therapy. However, just 49% of respondents said talking about mental health at work was a positive experience, and only 49% said they received a favorable or supportive response, which is similar to 2019 statistics.
The Role of the Company in Employee Mental Health
Employees are not alone when it comes to mental health issues. Employers, too, play a role – both positive and negative.
Certain aspects of the workplace had a negative impact on mental health. We're not working in a sustainable manner, and it's affecting our mental health. Until recently, the focus of discussion has mostly been on pre-existing mental health disorders and the stigma associated with them. The impact of employment on everyone's mental health is becoming increasingly prominent.
At least one occupational aspect had a negative impact on the mental health of 84 % of those polled. Younger workers, as well as members of marginalized groups, were disproportionately impacted. Emotionally taxing (e.g., stressful, overwhelming, dull, or monotonous) employment was the most prevalent factor among all responders, and it had gotten worse since the pandemic. Work-life balance was the next most popular topic.
Poor communication methods and a lack of connection to or support from one's colleagues or management were the other workplace variables that substantially increased since the pandemic, which is somewhat unsurprising in a primarily remote workforce. Workaholism, which pervades much of American culture, has been compounded by the pandemic's obstacles, leading to greater employee burnout.
Companies — sort of — boosted their spending on employee mental health. Companies are finally spending more on mental health support due to a lack of resources, but meaningful culture change has yet to occur. Many tools provided by businesses, including extended paid time off, company-wide mental health days, and mental health training, have become more widely available since the epidemic, according to our respondents.
Employees also made significantly more use of accommodations, particularly those that provided day-to-day support. These included taking longer or more frequent breaks from work, as well as scheduling treatment appointments during the working day. Other accommodations, such as time off and leaves of absence, exhibited no change in utilization rates from the previous year. This reveals a disparity between what employees used and what companies gave, which were frequently transitory Band-Aid remedies. A more open culture around mental health was the "resource" most sought by respondents (31 %).
Businesses have taken steps to modify their culture. While much work remains, some businesses have made gains in terms of culture, thanks to the pandemic. Mental health was viewed as more important than other objectives by 54% of respondents, up from 41% in 2019. Furthermore, 47% of respondents stated that their corporate leaders were advocates for mental health at work (up from 37% in 2019), and 47% believed that their boss was prepared to support them if they had a mental health problem or symptom (compared to 39% in 2019). Increased training and discussion could result in both of these outcomes.
Surprisingly, the increased awareness did not translate across all dimensions. There was a 5% drop in respondents who felt comfortable helping a coworker with their mental health, as well as a similar drop in those who knew how to receive help for mental health at work.
Supporting mental wellness at work benefits employers
Employers gain when they assist employees in prioritizing mental well being, eliminating the stigma associated with mental illness, addressing inequities in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, and offering support through formal structures and programs.
Employers that have helped their workers cope with the pandemic, racial inequities, return-to-work planning, and/or mental health, in general, had higher mental health and engagement.
Employers must create a culture change, more sustainable working practices, and a stronger sense of community
Employers must change their mindsets from seeing mental health as an individual issue to treating it as a group effort. Companies can no longer compartmentalize mental health as an individual's duty to handle alone through self-care, mental health days, or employee benefits, given all of the workplace elements at play. Here's what they'll need to make genuine progress.
Culture change
To be successful, culture change takes both a top-down and bottom-up approach. Mental health in the workplace is no exception. What is workplace culture change? Culture transformation is frequently required for businesses to become more agile and inventive.
Starting with leaders and managers, everyone has a job to perform. Leaders must regard mental health as a top priority for the company, with measures in place to hold them accountable, such as regular pulse surveys and clear ownership. It should not be left to HR alone. To promote an environment of transparency and openness, leaders should act as allies by sharing their own personal experiences. Even firms with the finest mental health benefits will not see an increase in utilization unless they have a stigma-free culture.
Leaders, supervisors, and all workers must be trained on how to negotiate mental health at work, have uncomfortable conversations, and build supportive environments. Managers are frequently the first to notice and support changes in their direct reports. The importance of creating a psychologically secure workplace cannot be overstated. Policies, procedures, culturally competent benefits, and other resources for mental health must be established and communicated.
Caregivers, many of whom are moms, have been affected by school closures and the resulting exhaustion. A psychologically healthy culture also allows employees to address difficult social and political issues at work. Employees should be enabled to create mental health employee resource groups and other affinity groups, become mental health ambassadors, and initiate peer listening programs at the grassroots level.
Work styles that are more environmentally friendly
Employers must modify their working practices to become more sustainable – now is the moment to do so. Flexibility is a crucial component, which many employees experienced for the first time with remote work during the epidemic. Respondents said their company's plans for returning to work had a detrimental influence on their psychological health. The policies regarding in-person vs remote work (41%) and a lack of work-life balance or flexibility based on the policy were the top two reasons mentioned (37%).
Promoting autonomy, setting limits, and establishing norms around communication, responsiveness, and urgency may all help to create a psychologically healthy culture. A professional services business, for example, would need to work long hours to meet a client’s deadline but might make internal deadlines more flexible. No email after hours, focused work time, and no-meeting days are some more suggestions. For employees to genuinely believe they can do the same, leaders must model these and other psychologically healthy habits. Inclusion is aided by having dialogues between managers and direct reports to communicate various working styles and preferences.
Businesses must also guarantee that employees have the tools and bandwidth they need to execute their tasks well while maintaining their mental health.
A stronger bond
Finally, a culture of connection is critical, from frequent check-ins that include time for the inquiry "How are you?" to healthy working relationships and meaningful team interactions. Employers should foster continuous, deeper one-on-one interactions between managers and direct reports, as well as between coworkers, by providing chances for connection across the business. Especially at the management level, “How are you?” should always be followed with “How can I assist you?” It is impossible to overestimate the value of empathy and honesty.
The case for workplace mental health responsibility by employees
Employees, on the other hand, have a part to play. Finally, as an employee, you must look after your own physical and emotional well-being and safety. After all, work is a big aspect of our lives, yet it may also generate stress or interfere with our work-life balance at times. As a result, if you want to thrive and develop your career, you must understand how to care for your own mental health at work.
As an employee, it is also your obligation to adhere to your employer's health and safety policies. It is recommended to comply and participate in any and all activities aimed at caring for your mental health, from official obligations such as taking scheduled breaks during working hours to volunteer efforts such as internal step challenges or walking meetups.
It's critical to comprehend how mental health affects employees and how businesses can care for their workforce. Nutrition, exercise, healthy bio metrics, and adequate sleep are all important aspects of workplace well-being. It's far more comprehensive, and it should include an emphasis on mental health in the workplace, especially when you consider the following statistics:
• Stress-related difficulties in the workplace have been on the increase for almost 20 years, and mental illness and drug addiction cost businesses an estimated $80 to $100 billion in direct expenditures each year.
• Chronic stress can lead to depression.
• The cost of missed productivity in the United States is $44 billion.
It's critical to pay attention to employees' mental health at work, whether they're having a good or bad day.
Company cultures and employee attitudes toward mental health have shifted as a result of significant social developments. Employers have begun to invest more, but employees have justifiedly raised their expectations. The future of workplace mental health requires a change in culture, with greater vulnerability, compassion, and long-term solutions. Thanks to Covid-19, we've already begun the process of cultural transformation.
Employee care necessitates a focus on mental health in the workplace. Work engagement, engagement, and interaction with coworkers, as well as company results, can be harmed by mental health issues and stress.
If you want to talk to a licensed therapist, click HERE to learn more about Dr. Cammy
