Workplace stress isn't uncommon, but when left unchecked, it can lead to bigger problems, such as depression and anxiety. When this happens, stress not only creates debilitating negative emotions, but it also results in lower productivity, the inability to concentrate on work and strained relationships with colleagues. This guide provides tips on how to make mental health a priority when on the job as well as information on how some organizations have made good mental health a part of their culture.
The Mental Health Landscape
People in the manufacturing, retail and food and beverage industries havethe highest rates of workplace-related stress.(Source:Mental Health America)
More than 300 million people around the world suffer from depression. Thecondition is the leading reason why workers go on disability.
(Source:
World Health Organization>)Of the employers who become aware of a worker suffering from depression, 64percent will refer that person to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
(Source:
Mental Health America>)Among people in the workplace, 83 percent of men and 72 percent of womenreport that workplace stress affects their personal lives.
(Source:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America>)Mental health problems were attributed to workplace stress by 28 percent ofAmericans.(Source:
Ipsos>)Some of the most common reasons why people don't seek help for mental healthissues are:
Cost of treatment,
Not wanting to see a therapist,
Not knowing how to find a good psychiatrist or therapist,
The time it takes to get an appointment with a health care professional,and
Concerns about people finding out.
The more severe someone's depression is, the less productive they will be inthe workplace.(Source:
The Annals of Family Medicine>)Depression is among the most expensive health conditions that workers sufferfrom. The high cost of depression is related to medication, absenteeism,presenteeism and doctor's visits.(Source:
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine>)Of the workers who have gotten treatment for their mental illness, 80percent report that their workplace satisfaction and productivity increased.
(Source:
Center for Workplace Mental Health>)Some of the common factors that can contribute to people's mental healthproblems include:
(Source:
World Health Organization>)Inflexible work schedules,
Lack of support from management,
Lack of clarity about work tasks or organizational objectives,
Poor managerial communication, and
Unsafe work environments.
Workplace stress was reported by 57 percent of executives, 56 percent ofmiddle managers, and 50 percent of frontline employees. The increased stressof people in management positions is attributed to the increasedresponsibility and time commitments these workers have.
(Source:
Mental Health America>)Of workers, 56 percent report that stress and anxiety have affected theirproductivity, 51 percent say it's impacted their relationships withcoworkers, and 50 percent say it has diminished the quality of their work.
(Source:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America>)Three in 10 people admit that they are embarrassed to talk to other peopleabout their anxiety, depression or workplace stress.(Source:
Ipsos>)Some of the most common methods people use for coping with work stressinclude:
(Source:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America>)Getting more sleep,
Drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs,
Smoking,
Exercising more, and
Drinking more coffee.
About 60 percent of people whose work stress has affected their performancesay they're afraid to speak to their boss about it. The most common reasonsinclude fear of:
(Source:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America>)Being laughed at,
Being labeled as weak,
Negatively impacting opportunities for a promotion,
The problem going into their file, and
The problem being seen as an unwillingness to work.
How to Improve Mental Health at Work
Considering the amount of time people dedicate to their jobs, it's important for them to be able to navigate the workplace in a way that reduces stress, rather than exacerbates it. The following tips can help workers alleviate the effects of the stressors they experience at work in order to improve their overall mental health.
Know the signs of a problem.When people begin suffering from depression or anxiety, there will be changes in their behavior they should pay close attention to. Some ofthose signs may include taking longer to complete routine tasks, havingdifficulty communicating with coworkers and feeling the need to call insick more frequently. As people experience these problems, they may beginto push themselves to work harder, which may eventually aggravate theissue.
Make a to-do list.Feeling overwhelmed from a mountain of work can contribute to anxiety and depression, so making a to-do list can help people stay on track. Not onlydoes this help people prioritize what needs to be done, it also allowsthem to feel better every time they check an item off.
Take frequent breaks."People can make sure that they take time out of their workday for 'wellness breaks,'" says workplace consultant Michael Klein. "For somefolks, this can be short walks during their lunch hour, breaks withcolleagues or even five minutes of relaxation (or guided mediation usingvarious free apps) at their desk or elsewhere."
Drink water.People who are suffering from anxiety and depression often neglect basic self-care activities, including drinking water. Staying hydrated at workcan go a long way toward helping people concentrate and stay centered,which may reduce the effects of stressors in the office.
Avoid workplace gossip.Although some people use workplace gossip for entertainment, a way to bond with coworkers or to communicate their frustrations, in the long run, itcan cause more stress because it lowers morale and strains relationshipswith colleagues. Venting about problems with a coworker, however, can behealthy as long as the conversation is done directly with that person andnot third parties.
Avoid taking on too much."Think before you commit to a project, assignment or committee position," says Phillip A. Ginter, Regional Director of Community Initiatives atHealthlinkNY. "Consider your needs and available resources, and evaluatewhether it will lead to overextending yourself."
Set small, manageable goals.When a workload seems unachievable, it can make people feel helpless and contribute to their stress and anxiety levels. Setting manageable goalscan help break down big tasks into smaller ones so the work doesn't feelso daunting.
Add personal items to a workspace.Adding personal items to a workspace can help people feel better when they're experiencing stress. When people can look at reminders of theirloved ones, favorite pet or enjoyable hobbies, it can help them feelcentered and positive as they think about the things that make themhappiest.
Talk to human resources."If organizational or management issues are creating mental distress, it is important to alert a human resources professional at their organizationto discuss," Klein says. "This can feel like a risky move to make.However, once an HR professional is told 'on the record' that an employeeis under emotional distress, they are required by law to address theissue."
Identify triggers.Everyone has different triggers for anxiety and depression in the workplace — from doing a presentation to writing reports to going to acompany function — so it's important for people to track the situationsthat make them uncomfortable in order to prepare. Workers who aren't surewhat their triggers are can keep a journal of the things that have led tostress in order to identify them. Next, they should do things to relaxbefore these triggers come up, such as stretching, doing breathingexercises or taking a quick walk.
Get help.People who are having problems don't have to suffer in silence. Mental health professionals can help those struggling with anxiety and depressiondevelop the tools they need to cope with their stressful workplace, aswell as prescribe appropriate medications as needed.
Don't feel ashamed."Accept that there is no shame to experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder," Ginter says. "A national survey found that 1 out of 5 workingadults reported having experienced a mental health disorder in theprevious month, so you're not alone."
What Are Companies Doing to Address Mental Health?
Some people don't get help for their mental illness because they're afraid of the repercussions of letting their boss know about their problems. However, many workplaces understand the true cost of not dealing with issues like anxiety and depression, so they work to promote good mental health. The following companies are examples of those that have made good mental health among workers a priority.
American Express.
Addressing workers with health issues is nothing new to American Express, which has on-site health clinics at each of its offices around the world that have helped people manage conditions ranging from diabetes to obesity to high blood pressure. In order to also ensure that employees' mental health problems are taken care of, American Express launched the Healthy Minds program, which provides access to counselors at its employee clinics. The program has been so successful that it has a 98 percent satisfaction rating from employees, and the American Psychological Association and Mental Health America have given it awards for its effectiveness.
Barclays.
To help decrease the stigma associated with mental health conditions, Barclays launched the company-wide "This Is Me" campaign that encouraged employees to share their stories of mental health challenges. Since the website launched, 200 people have contributed their testimonies and there have been 60,000 visitors who have read them.
CHG Healthcare.
CHG Healthcare's employees, as well as their families, can take advantage of free mental and physical health services at the company's on-site clinic. In addition, the organization promotes work-life balance among its employees by allowing them to have alternative work schedules, such as telecommuting, flextime and job sharing. These benefits have helped the company to be ranked among the best workplaces in the country by Fortune magazine.
DuPont.
In 2011, DuPont launched a training program designed to raise employee awareness about how to maintain good mental, physical and emotional health. The "Employee Wellness: A Way of Life" program examines stress and how it can be managed, dealing with shift work and the importance of maintaining healthy diets and sleep patterns.
Netflix.
In order to help its employees juggle their home and work responsibilities effectively, Netflix offers extremely flexible schedules that are not based on a 9-to-5 workday or scheduled company holidays. As a result, employees are allowed to take time off as they need to and observe the days that are important for their lifestyle. In addition, the company offers a generous parental leave program.
Expert Q&A
Dealing with mental health problems while trying to manage workplace responsibilities can be difficult, so workers need as much information as they can get to learn how to improve their health while easing workplace stress. In order to provide more information on these important issues, we asked our experts, workplace consultant Michael Klein and regional director of Community Initiatives at HealthlinkNY, Phillip A. Ginter, to provide their insights.
Phillip Ginter
Director of Community Initiatives, HealthlinkNYPhillip A. Ginter is the director of community initiatives at HealthlinkNY, which operates the Health Information Exchange (HIE) for 13 counties in New York State. The HIE allows all of a patient's providers to share health records and coordinate care for patients they have in common. In his role, Ginter supervises population health initiatives, including mental health stigma reduction and health care disparities, organized by the HealthlinkNY Community Network in the Hudson Valley and Southern Tier.
Michael Klein
Workplace Consultant and Adviser, MK InsightsMichael Klein has been a workplace consultant and adviser to individuals and organizations for over 20 years. He has provided services to industries including pharmaceuticals, insurance, entertainment, banking, construction, education, forestry, retail, publishing, hospitality, manufacturing and health care. He partners regularly with attorneys, accountants and other professional advisers. Prior to starting his consulting business, MK Insights, Klein held positions in organizational development and human resources, and he served as a director of advisor training and development at MassMutual Financial Group.
More on Mental Health
Many resources are available for people who need help addressing how their workplace impacts their mental health. The following are some websites, videos, apps and podcasts that can help.
