Over the last few years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of mental health in the workplace. It has been recognized that even in a work environment, it is essential to seek to enhance employee emotional and mental health, some employees will experience mental health problems that may have a detrimental impact on their work and personal life.
For some people, these problems may seem like minor disturbances, but for others, they can be severe, leading to major mental health disorders. While it’s the responsibility of employees to maintain their mental health, supervisors and managers must play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing their employees’ mental health in the workplace.
What is Mental Health?
According to the WHO, “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships, and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right that is crucial to personal, community, and socio-economic development.”
Facts about Mental Health.
According to research,
- 1 in 5 people experience mental health issues.
- By 2030, the biggest mental health risk on earth will be depression.
- More than 800,000 people die by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds.
According to WHO, mental health is;
- Affordable, effective, and feasible strategies exist to promote, protect, and restore mental health.
- The need for action on mental health is indisputable and urgent.
- Mental health has intrinsic and instrumental value and is integral to our well-being.
- It is determined by a complex interplay of individual, social, and structural stresses and vulnerabilities
Stages of Mental Health.
Mental health can be divided into two major stages:
Good Mental Health refers to the absence of mental illness. It is characterized by the ability to express, feel, and carry out daily activities in a managed range of positive and negative emotions. It allows an individual to enjoy oneself carrying out everyday tasks, taking part in activities, socializing, and building healthy relationships. It can be broken into two stages;
1. Healthy Stage: People in the healthy stage of mental health enjoy life and carry out their daily tasks without any significant challenges. The healthy stage is characterized by the following;
- A Normal sleep pattern.
- An active social life.
- Physically active.
- Normal mood fluctuations.
- Consistent performance.
2. Reacting Stage: People in the reacting stage commonly experience mild and reversible distress. The reacting stage is characterized by the following;
- Decreased social activities.
- Tiredness.
- Low energy.
- Disruption in daily performance.
- Nervousness.
- Sadness.
- Irritation.
- Procrastion and forgetness.
- Insomnia.
These stages of mental health can be improved or maintained through self-care and social support.
Poor Mental Health refers to a feeling of numbness, irritation, sadness, or worthlessness. It can affect a person’s mood, feelings, thoughts, and behavior, making it difficult to carry out daily tasks. It can result from exposure to unfavorable social, economic, geopolitical, and environmental circumstances, including poverty, violence, inequality, and environmental deprivation. It can also be influenced by psychological and biological factors such as emotional skills, substance use, and genetics.
It can be broken into two stages;
1. The Injured Stage: This refers to a condition that causes a notable level of functional impairment or disability. People in the injured stage require professional help to improve their mental health. The injured stage is characterized by the following;
- Fatigue, aches and pains.
- Decreased daily performance.
- Feelings of anxiety, anger, and sadness.
- Social withdrawal.
- The Feeling of Hopelessness, fearfulness, and worthlessness.
- Insomnia.
2. The Ill stage: This refers to a condition that causes a clinical disorder and severe or persistent functional disorder. People in the ill stage need immediate medical attention and specialized treatment to manage their mental health. The ill stage is characterized by the following;
- Insomnia.
- Isolation.
- Exhaution.
- Excessive anxiety.
- Mood swings.
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depression.
- Anger issue.
- Absent-mindness.
What is Mental Health in the Workplace?
Mental health in the workplace is a critical issue that affects organizations worldwide, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. It involves the well-being of employees and the productivity of the organization. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), decent work is good for the mental well-being of workers, while poor working environments can increase the risk of mental issues.
It also refers to employees’ psychological, emotional, and social well-being within a shared work environment. Employees with sound mental health have respect for themselves and others, build positive relationships with coworkers, and cope with the daily challenges and responsibilities involved in the workplace.
The reason why we advocate that organizations personalize the mental well-being of their employees is because it influences every aspect of an employee’s journey such as hiring, learning development, retention, team building, and productivity.
Factor Affecting Mental Health in the Workplace.
Mental health is very important for an employee to work effectively. Therefore, it is critical to deeply understand the factors that affect employees’ mental well-being and their workplace productivity. There are three main factors affecting mental health in the workplace. In explaining these factors, we will be referring to some research works.
1. Work Pressure.
Work pressure is a major factor that significantly impacts the mental well-being of employees. When employees experience high levels of stress due to their jobs, it can lead to a decrease in their condition, which can impact the quality of work they produce. Mental issues such as negative emotions, decreased work accuracy, and excessive fatigue are some effects of work pressure on employees, which can also affect their physical health.
However, employees with high emotional stability can perceive work pressure as a challenge and may remain committed to the organization. The role of the organization is crucial in influencing employee performance outcomes and contributing to shaping the work culture.
Research suggests that prioritizing the mental well-being of employees can be an optimal intervention to prevent and improve the physical and psychological health of employees, even amid uncertainty and organizational change.
2. Long Working Hours.
Long working hours can also trigger stress and negative emotional impact on employees. Studies have shown that long working hours can cause fatigue and decrease employee sleep quality, leading to a decline in mental health. According to research, women who work too long are more likely to develop depression. Thus, it is essential to examine the impact of long working hours on the mental well-being condition of employees.
3. Lack of Gratitude.
Gratitude is a critical factor that significantly affects the mental well-being of employees at work. Research states that employees with high levels of gratitude tend to experience more happiness at work, which leads to increased positive emotions in the workplace. Numerous studies have shown that focusing on gratitude can make life more fulfilling, meaningful, and productive.
For instance, research conducted by Emmons and Crumpler has revealed that people who practice gratitude tend to have more satisfying lives—similarly, Mc. Cullough’s study has demonstrated that grateful people are more likely to experience positive emotions and feel satisfied with their lives.
Also, highly grateful individuals tend to exhibit more prosocial behavior, such as being more empathetic, tolerant, helpful, and supportive towards others.
They are also less focused on materialistic pursuits than their less grateful counterparts. Therefore, it is essential to encourage the community to recognize and appreciate the blessings they have received and express gratitude towards others.
How to Improve Mental Health in the Workplace.
Organizations need to take several actions to help improve their employees’ mental health. These include;
- Nurture and support culture: Leaders need to prioritize mental well-being by creating a nurturing and supportive culture. This means providing adequate support to employees who may be struggling with mental health issues and encouraging them to seek help when needed.
- Assess & Personalize Mental Health: To do this effectively, it’s important to assess the needs of your organization. This can be achieved by conducting surveys or other types of assessments to identify specific mental needs of your employees. Once you have identified these needs, you can personalize your approach to ensure that it is tailored to meet the needs of your organization.
- Provide Mental Health Training: Another important step is to provide mental health training to employees. This can include offering well-being sessions, leadership training, and other types of training that help employees understand mental well-being and how to support those struggling.
- Establish Support Groups: Dedicate 30 minutes weekly for open communication. Share stories & lead by example, as we often learn best through others’ experiences. It is crucial to establish support groups within the organization. It can be achieved by dedicating 30 minutes each week to open communication. During these sessions, employees can share their stories and experiences, which can help others to learn and grow. By leading by example, managers and leaders can help create a culture of openness and trust, which is essential for promoting positive mental health.
- Advocate for visits to Mental Health Professionals: it’s important to advocate for visits to professionals for individuals, especially for individuals who are in the injury and ill stage of mental health. It can include providing information about available resources and encouraging employees to seek help.
- Measure Impact and Gather Feedback Regularly: To ensure these efforts are effective, it is essential to gather feedback regularly through surveys, focus groups, or other types of feedback mechanisms that help to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the needs of employees are being met.
The requirement for mental health differs for every individual, similarly, the requirement for an organization’s mental wellbeing differs from company to company. These needs and requirements can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the size and structure of the organization, the nature of the work being done, and the overall culture and values of the company. Both individuals and organizations need to prioritize mental well-being to promote a healthy and productive work environment.