"Leave your private life behind when you come to the office" is a phrase many of us have heard. While this idea may have been standard at some point, it is increasingly seen as unrealistic and harmful, particularly regarding mental health. Today, we want to discuss mental health issues at work and explore ways to reduce the stigma. Both job seekers and employers can greatly benefit from better understanding and committing to mental wellbeing within their workplaces.
Although awareness is growing, mental health remains a complex subject with many misunderstandings and prejudices. People experiencing mental health problems face stigmatization in society due to stereotypes, biases, and prejudice, which lead to discrimination. This stigma can be a major barrier to seeking help at work, causing employees to stay silent even when they need assistance.
According to the World Health Organization (2015), depression and anxiety alone cost the world economy an estimated $1 trillion annually. Employee mental health significantly impacts workplace productivity, engagement, and satisfaction.
Employees struggling with mental illness may find it difficult to concentrate, make decisions, interact with others, or enjoy their jobs. This can lead to lower productivity, missed workdays, and high employee turnover.
If you are currently job hunting, paying attention to your mental health is crucial. Seeking out companies that value and support mental health can significantly enhance your job satisfaction and overall wellbeing.
During interviews, ask about the company’s culture, its stance on work-life balance, and the resources available for addressing common emotional concerns. A company's commitment to its workforce’s mental health reveals a lot about its values, which can influence your decision on whether to accept a job offer.
For employers, recognising and addressing mental health issues among employees is essential. Creating a mentally healthy workplace benefits workers and can increase productivity, improve engagement, and reduce staff turnover and related costs..
Here are a few steps employers can take:
Foster an Open Dialogue: Encourage discussions around mental wellness, providing safe spaces for employees to express themselves without fear of judgement or retaliation.
Educate Employees: Offer education on mental illness to dispel misconceptions, reduce biases, and help employees recognise symptoms in themselves or others.
Provide Support and Resources: Implement Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), flexible work hours, mental health days off, and access to counselling services.
Promote Work-Life Balance: Reduce job stress by encouraging time off, setting reasonable working hours, and discouraging after-hours emails.
Overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health at work requires collective responsibility. Start by acknowledging its importance, fostering open dialogues, and creating environments where staff feel supported in their mental health journey.
We must prioritise mental health alongside physical safety in our workplaces. As job seekers and employers, we can initiate change, making our workplaces more supportive and inclusive.
Caring for mental health is essential to caring for your organisation and its people. It is high time we overcame the mental health stigma because, every day, every second, mental health matters to all.