From Struggles to Strengths: Workplace Mental Health Today

Exploring workplace mental health & the benefits of temporary employment on well-being and job satisfaction.

What an absolute mess.

We need to shift our focus onto the pressing issue of inadequate mental health support and awareness in organisations worldwide. It's imperative that we all become advocates for dismantling the stigma and championing mental well-being.

But where are we at currently?

We live in a society where no one wants to listen to anyone's "sad stuff" and problems, because we all have our own to deal with, right?

And at work, we've all been there at least once in our lives, where we're kind of functioning "normally" and are on some weird auto-pilot, just trying to get through the day without anyone noticing anything is wrong or too "different." When we book a few days of holiday or call in "sick" because we just need to try and straighten out our minds and try to get that "old me" back again?

No one can honestly think this is ok, surely...?

Fun fact time! Did you know...

?? That according to statistics, 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety?

??Only 13% of employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health in the workplace?

??Mental health issues cost the global economy around $1Trillion every year?

??In 2021, a whopping 86% of Finance organisations experienced an increase in demand for mental health support, the highest among all of the employment sectors surveyed?

??Women who work full-time are almost twice as likely to have a mental health problem than men.

They weren't the most "fun" facts ever were they? But, they're very real, and very important that we stop ignoring the big storm-cloud in the room.

"I'm not happy in my current company, finding another job is proving more difficult than I thought, and It's having a negative impact on my mental health." - candidate.

We only get one-shot at this thing called life, and no one deserves to spend it with any mental suffering, especially not at work, where we spend most of our lives.

Job hunting is HARD.

What's harder? The encounters of endless applications, the long waiting game, the sleepless nights worrying, the the rejections over and over again, the uncertainty about the future, a whirlwind of emotions that add more fuel to the fire when you're already not in a good place mentally.

Job hunting is often portrayed as an exciting journey towards new opportunities, growth, and success, and it absolutely can be; But let's not forget the flip side of the coin - the toll it can take on our mental health.

You're looking for that company that makes your eyes light up, that excites you, that offers great perks, a better salary, a good culture amongst its employees, and a role that you have a keen interest in and the right skill-set for; and ok, you find them, and they're advertising, so that's great, but it's not always plain sailing from there unfortunately.

Amidst the challenges, we also grow stronger, develop resilience, and bouncebackability (yes, that's a real word and can be found in the Oxford English dictionary ??); We discover that networking becomes a lifeline, and we realise the importance of self-care, and mental well-being.

?? So, what could be a good option for you to consider during your permanent job hunt that could relieve you of some of your stress?

Temporary and contract positions!

Temporary and contract roles are employment arrangements in which individuals are hired for a specific period or project, typically without the long-term commitment associated with permanent positions.

Temporary roles can provide a sense of stability, income, and purpose during your permanent job search, alleviate some of the financial stresses and uncertainty that often accompanies the hunt for a long-term position, therefore improving your mental state.

Moreover, these temporary experiences can also offer opportunities to expand your skill set, network, and even discover unexpected career paths.

Now, having poor mental well-being may not be necessarily because you're in a "bad job", you can love your job but have other factors that affect you; such as a negative company culture, a broken-down team, poor management, lack of opportunity, lack of recognition, no work-life balance, the list goes on.

But, people often stay in bad situations due to fear of change, financial concerns, loyalty, perceived lack of skills, or complacency, and I get it, most of us have been unlucky enough to have been there before at least once in our careers!

Consider temporary roles; they provide continued and sometimes even boosted financial stability, opportunities to explore new industries, gain skills, and transition to new permanent positions, making it a viable solution for escaping undesirable job situations and the strains on your physical and mental health those situations can bring.

You've got this!

Could temporary employment opportunities be the right choice to help you feel like "you" again?

What can organisations do to provide support for the mental health of their employees, and to promote awareness and resources? Is yours doing enough? Here's an idea or two..:

?? Mental health policies and programs

?? Awareness training

?? Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's)

?? Mental health days

?? Promote work-life balance

?? Mental health resources

?? Anonymous reporting

?? Mental Health Champions

These strategies can help organisations create a culture of mental health awareness and support, making it easier for employees to seek help when necessary and promoting an environment where well-being is valued.

Rounding up, I'm not sure who wrote this quote, or even where I saw it actually, but I remember reading this recently, really feeling it resonate with me, make me smile and scribbled it down to share with others, enjoy!

"Don't make yourself small for anyone, ever. Be the awkward, funny, intelligent, beautiful little weirdo that you are. Don't hold back, weird it out." -unknown.

Are you interested in learning more about how temporary and interim professionals can bring the support and relief to yourself and or your team in personal or business critical times?

Or maybe you're curious interim roles yourself?

Let's talk!

Toriah Wilson

#MentalHealthAdvocate #YouMatter #MentalHealthAtWork #LetsTalk