In today’s world, there is a lot of talk
about mental health and wellness. A searchlight has been put in
ensuring more awareness in this area especially for teens and young
adults in view of the spate of
suicides we now hear about on a daily
basis.
However, not much has been said about
mental health for workers/employees. Many of us have heard of Monday
blues and how people either commit suicide on Mondays or kill people on
Mondays. These actions are borne out of the issues that transpires at
work either caused by issues surrounding them personally or caused by
happenings in the workplace environment in which they work.
According to EW Group “Mental health is
something we all possess. When it is good, we have a sense of purpose
and direction and feel that we can cope with whatever life (and work)
throws at us. But just as our physical health fluctuates, so too our
mental health goes through ups and downs. An inclusive workplace is one
where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work, and mental
health has a critical part to play.
We all have tough times when we feel
low, stressed or frightened. Usually, those feelings pass, but sometimes
they develop into anxiety or depression. And some people have more
complex, long-term mental health conditions which can affect our ability
to engage and perform at work at a consistently high level.
Diagnosis is not always a predictor of
an individual’s experience either, so as managers and colleagues it is
important never to jump to conclusions on what form of mental health an
individual is confronting.
Workplace wellbeing, then, refers to the business goal of being watchful of, and then improving on, the collective mental health of your workplace, so that everyone feels supported and included, particularly in the more difficult times.
Workplace wellbeing, then, refers to the business goal of being watchful of, and then improving on, the collective mental health of your workplace, so that everyone feels supported and included, particularly in the more difficult times.
According to the mental health charity
Mind, at any one time, at least one in six workers are experiencing
common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Poor
mental health is costing organisations a lot of money every year.
Good mental health enables us to thrive. As individuals we understand this and now business leaders, too, are increasingly acknowledging the importance of wellbeing in the workplace.
Good mental health enables us to thrive. As individuals we understand this and now business leaders, too, are increasingly acknowledging the importance of wellbeing in the workplace.
Research studies provide strong evidence
that companies with high levels of mental health awareness are more
successful. According to research by University of Warwick, addressing
wellbeing at work increases productivity by up to 12%. And, as reported
in the UK government’s Stevenson-Farmer Review of Mental Health and
Employers in 2017, businesses that invest in mental health interventions
report an average of £4.20 return for each pound spent. We do not have
statistics to back up our own situation in Nigeria. But, it is evident
that many employees are going through severe mental health issues
because of the poor productivity employers are experiencing, the brain
drain and the economic woes we are all experiencing as a nation.
According to a 2017 Deloitte study
evidenced approaches across Germany, Canada, Australia, France, Belgium
and Sweden which are empowering employers to implement interventions.
“As always prevention is better than cure”, says Ruth Cooper-Dickson. “We know that the average seven-day absence from works costs organisations plenty and that 300,000 people leave their jobs every year due to serious mental health problems. Alongside the human toll is a cost to employers – the recruitment of a new team member costs is exorbitant – so it is not so much whether your business can afford a mental health strategy, but more that it cannot afford not to have one.”
“As always prevention is better than cure”, says Ruth Cooper-Dickson. “We know that the average seven-day absence from works costs organisations plenty and that 300,000 people leave their jobs every year due to serious mental health problems. Alongside the human toll is a cost to employers – the recruitment of a new team member costs is exorbitant – so it is not so much whether your business can afford a mental health strategy, but more that it cannot afford not to have one.”
Millions of working days a year are lost
to mental health but a disproportionately high percentage of workers
report feeling too scared or embarrassed to admit taking time out for
mental health reasons.
“It is crucial that businesses are open and transparent about mental health, and that this starts at the top”, says Vix Anderton, EW Group’s course leader for Workplace Wellbeing for Managers.
“It is crucial that businesses are open and transparent about mental health, and that this starts at the top”, says Vix Anderton, EW Group’s course leader for Workplace Wellbeing for Managers.
“Leaders and managers have to lead by
example in approaching difficult conversations with compassion and
openness. Simple things like leaving the office on time and taking a
lunch break can send a powerful message to your staff about the
importance of their wellbeing. Providing training on mental health
awareness will make your people feel more confident around the subject
and highlight the policies and mechanisms you have in place to support
them.”
If you’re a manager at work, here are
some common signs that can surface in colleagues who are struggling with
their mental health:
• They may be making more mistakes than normal or having trouble with decision-making and concentration.
• They may become more irritable and sensitive to criticism.
• They may become increasingly absent or alternatively start work excessively, staying late and bypassing lunch breaks.
• They may exhibit physical symptoms, such as being constantly tired or suffering from a cold that won’t go away.
• They may take less care with their appearance or show signs of drinking alcohol to help them switch off in the evenings’.
Let us be our brother’s keepers even in the workplace. People spend
more time around work issues than they spend with their families.
Organisations should recognize the responsibility to have towards their
staff in ensuring that they care about their mental wellness. There
improved productivity will be your thank you.
• They may be making more mistakes than normal or having trouble with decision-making and concentration.
• They may become more irritable and sensitive to criticism.
• They may become increasingly absent or alternatively start work excessively, staying late and bypassing lunch breaks.
• They may exhibit physical symptoms, such as being constantly tired or suffering from a cold that won’t go away.
• They may take less care with their appearance or show signs of drinking alcohol to help them switch off in the evenings’.
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