Mental Health at Work

Today is World Mental Health Day.? This year’s focus is prioritising mental health in the workplace.?Just as physical fitness supports strong physical health,? mental and emotional fitness support good mental and emotional health.? They help you make your mind strong, balanced and flexible - and give you the ability?to?experience emotions and yet remain centred so you can make the best of situations in real time.

The Importance of Mental and Emotional Fitness

Working on our mental and emotional fitness is something we can all benefit from – particularly given the increasing volume and range of what we are dealing with in the work place and life in today’s world.? Good mental fitness is also key to staying ahead and being in the learning zone - to keep up with AI and all the new skills needed to stay up to date and ahead in the modern workplace.

Stress and related lifestyle disease are the epidemics of our time according to the World Health Organisation. ?We are not designed to live the lives so many of us our living in terms of chronic stress, diet, screen time, sleep, and other factors adversely impacting our wellbeing.? Although some progress has been made in recent years in terms of ?how we address mental health, there is still a long way to go.

Stigma

A recent survey conducted by St Patrick's Mental Health Services in found that 37% of participants identified work-related challenges as a factor impacting their mental health and overall wellbeing.? Nearly 50% of those surveyed stated that they were unaware of the legal requirement for employers to offer reasonable accommodations to employees experiencing mental health difficulties.? Additionally, 42% mentioned they would feel uncomfortable discussing their need for time off due to mental health issues with their employer.

We are living in a sea of stress.? In Ireland and around the world, the signs and symptoms of stress are increasing in critical ways - with rates of burnout, stress, loneliness, depression, anxiety and lifestyle disease rising.?Seventy percent of employees have at least one symptom of burnout and 72 percent are struggling with stress. Half of those are saying the last few years are the most stressful of their careers. ?An EU wide 2022 survey reported that ?Ireland had the highest rates of loneliness in the EU with 20 percent of those surveyed saying that they were lonely all our most of the time in the month prior to the survey.? The EU average was 13 percent.

The role of work in supporting people’s mental and emotional health

As human beings, our highest level psychological needs are for growth and contribution.? While work can be challenging and stressful, the workplace offers the opportunity for people to meet these needs and to learn and feel good about themselves.? It is also a place to connect and grow together.? Each workplace has the potential to give people purpose, satisfaction and ultimately help them boost their mental and emotional fitness and wellbeing - in addition to educating and supporting them in terms of mental health.? ?The business case is also clear and strong.? A 2021 Deloitte survey showed that employers that invest in mental health support of their workforce make significant gains. Their model found an average E5 return for every E1 spent on mental health.

If you would like to organise a programme for your staff , either in person or online, get in touch and I would be happy to create a bespoke event for your team - helping them boost their mental and emotional fitness.? ?Contact [email protected] or DM me on Linkedin.

This is not something to ignore.? We know what will happen if we do nothing. The trends and situation are clear and will get worse. Yet. with the right support from leadership, a good work culture, education and personal responsibility - and the resultant changes in mindset and habits, this situation can be improved and turned around.

Prevention is always better than cure.