Prioritize Mental Health at Work This World Mental Health Day
With the theme “It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace,” this year’s World Mental Health Day on October 10th is a call for all of us to recognize the impact our work environment has on our well-being. It’s not just about productivity, it’s about ensuring we all have the support needed to thrive. With 15% of working-age adults globally experiencing a mental disorder, and over 12 billion working days lost annually to depression and anxiety, prioritizing mental health at work is essential for both personal and professional well-being.1
Why Mental Health at Work Matters
This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of a supportive work environment for our mental health. Most employed adults spend more time working during the day than any other activity and, while the workplace that sometimes boost mental health and mood, it can often detract from well-being in ways that result in emotional distress and mental illness. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, impact workplaces globally by affecting productivity, attendance, and performance.
Poor mental health at work can lead to stress, burnout, and decreased productivity, affecting both your job and personal life. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) reports that employees who feel less comfortable talking about their mental health in the workplace are more likely to report feeling more burnout and mental health suffering due to their work. One of the main reasons employees give when they say they would be uncomfortable sharing about their mental health at work is a sense of stigma surrounding mental health and disorders, and a fear of retaliation from management.2
Current Challenges Faced by Employees
Common stressors like excessive workloads, job insecurity, and lack of work-life balance can take a toll on your mental health. Decent work and working conditions can support good mental health by providing a sense of purpose, a safe working environment, a livelihood, and a form of structure and routine. However, psychosocial risks related to the workplace, such as being underskilled or underutilized, overworked and under-staffed, or working in unsafe physical conditions can conversely undermine mental health.
Burnout is often a result of chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed and it is usually characterized by exhaustion in the workplace, detachment, and decreased productivity. Nationally, 52% of employees reported feeling burnt out in the past year, with 37% stating that their burnout impacted their work performance.3
How Your Employer Can Support You
Employers can provide resources like mental health coverage, training, and flexible work arrangements. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities advocates for the rights of people with disabilities, including mental health conditions, in the workplace. It calls for reasonable accommodations tailored to their needs and supported employment initiatives that enable flexible work arrangements.4
A supportive and inclusive work environment benefits everyone—don’t hesitate to ask about available mental health resources on your job. Employers can implement an abundance of trainings, programs, and organization interventions that directly target mental health in the workplace. Manager training for mental health can benefit managers, helping them identify and act when employees are experiencing emotional distress, while mental health training for workers can boost their awareness and help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions.
Taking Action For Your Well-Being
If you’re struggling, communicate with HR or a trusted manager about how they can support you. You may be able to work together to make changes in the workplace by solving problems and setting realistic goals that benefit you and your coworkers. And make use of available resources and mental health benefits your employer offers, such as counseling or stress management programs.
This World Mental Health Day, take a moment to reflect on your own mental health and advocate for the support you deserve. Prioritizing your well-being isn’t just beneficial for you, but for everyone around you.
Need help managing your emotions? Call Beachside Rehab at 866-349-1770 to speak with our trained admissions counselors. Our mental health and addiction treatment center in West Palm Beach, Florida, offers the professional support you need to lead a healthy, sound, and sober life.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
1 World Mental Health Day, “About WFMH Global Campaign 2024,” https://wmhdofficial.com/about-2024/, accessed September 26, 2024.
2 National Alliance on Mental Health Illness, “The 2024 NAMI Workplace Mental Health Poll,” https://www.nami.org/support-education/publications-reports/survey-reports/the-2024-nami-workplace-mental-health-poll/, accessed September 26, 2024.
3 Ibid.
4 World Health Organization, “Mental Health at Work,” https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work, September 2, 2024.
The post Prioritize Mental Health at Work This World Mental Health Day appeared first on Beachside Rehab.
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