This year WHO trains its focus on mental health in the workplace
Words by: Hazel Austin Photographs: pixabay
Mental health affects our very quality of life. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and has a direct co-relation with our capability to deal with day to day events and circumstances of life. A positive and healthy mental balance enriches our experience of life and helps one realize their true potential, work productively and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Most of us spend a large portion of our lives at work and the environment that we spend this time affects our mental wellbeing. Being occupied and working is contributive to growth and positive state of life. But, a negative work environment can have a detrimental effect on one’s physical and mental wellbeing. Underscoring the importance of a positive and motivating work environment WHO dedicates this year’s Mental Health Day to mental health in the workplace.
With rising unemployment and longer working hours not to mention the competitive pace of today’s businesses it has become imperative to highlight the need for awareness on mental health at work.
A toxic working environment can lead to a host of physical and mental health problems and employees may turn to harmful use of substances or alcohol, absenteeism which ultimately becomes another case of lost productivity. Thus it should be no surprise that workplaces that promote mental health and provide appropriate support are less likely to face absenteeism. They also enjoy increased productivity and benefit from associated economic gains.
Mental health in the workspace can be affected by the nature of one’s work, the organizational and managerial environment, inflexible working hours, limited participation in decision-making, the skills and competencies of the employees, and the support available for them to carry out their work.
While some jobs entail higher risk than others like for those involved in the medical profession or humanitarian workers the risk may be of a more personal nature some jobs may have a lack of cohesion or social support, bullying or psychological harassment all of which can have debilitating effect on a person’s mental health and translates into increased costs for the employer in terms of decreased productivity, absenteeism and increased employee turnover.
Stress can have a negative impact on family and stressed individuals often complain of shrinking social life and eventually withdraw into isolation reporting lesser satisfaction from interactions.
Healthy workplace
A positive workplace is one where employees and the management actively contribute towards the promotion and protection of the health, safety and well-being of all employees. The World Economic Forum recommends a three-pronged approach wherein work related ricks are reduced, employees receive the emotional support they require and mental health concerns are addressed regardless of cause.
According to the WHO certain good practices can help in creating a motivating and positive workplace environment and these include:
- implementation and enforcement of health and safety policies and practices, including identification of distress, harmful use of psychoactive substances and illness and providing resources to manage them;
- informing staff that support is available;
- involving employees in decision-making, conveying a feeling of control and participation; organizational practices that support a healthy work-life balance;
- programmes for career development of employees; and
- recognizing and rewarding the contribution of employees.
Infographic credits: switchandshift
Organizations should also attempt to provide avenues for better mental wellbeing as part of the health and wellbeing strategy where individuals are covered for prevention, early diagnosis, care and rehabilitation for mental health issues. Sensitive approach and compassion needs to be ensured when addressing mental health disorders, employees must ensure that people feel supported and able to ask for support in continuing with or returning to work and are provided with the necessary help to do their job. Simple changes such as flexible working hours, job-redesign, addressing negative workplace dynamics, as well as opportunities for a supportive and confidential communication with management help go a long way in creating a positive work environment.