The mind is our greatest asset in the workplace. It helps us to comprehend instructions, plan for tasks, and make decisions. In most cases, our surrounding influences our mental state, which has a general effect on our livelihoods. Since the most productive hours of a person are spent at workplaces, companies have invested in human resource policies that aim at a good work-life balance. It makes mental wellness a joint effort between employer and employee.
The team at Joyful Living state that ‘In fact, stress, anxiety and depression make up 43.8% of all workplace illness and 60% of employees say they have experienced some form of mental health.’
Mental health has psychological and emotional effects.
- Psychological – it affects how a person comprehends issues, and how they perceive occurrences. It affects how the brain works, thus impacting directly a person’s behaviour.
- Emotional – it is the coordination of responses when one is subjected to an issue. One does not necessarily have to show it, but it affects how he or she will react afterward.
How do you Identify a Mental Health Issue at the Work Place?
People approach workplace issues differently depending on their mental state. However, the following are some common signs that a person has a mental health problem.
- Inconsistencies – if the thought process doesn’t show seamless patterns, neither does it reflect the end goal of a task, consider it as a sign of mental breakdown.
- Tiredness – if one is often tired, especially the morning hours, chances are that he or she has not either gotten enough rest, or they have a mental health problem.
- Self-Isolation – when a worker decides to avoid direct contact with their colleagues, they might be unintentionally calling for help. Staying away from people increases paranoia that might end up to self-destruction.
- Distraction – it causes absent-mindedness, procrastination, and intrusion. In worst cases, the person may turn chaotic and defensive, which can cause a nervous breakdown.
- Emotional outbursts – generating conflicting emotions shows mental instability. Switching from happy to sad; laughing to crying in seconds shows a psychological disorder.
The symptoms mentioned above are hard to see on oneself, but colleagues can easily spot them. How quick the organisation is in solving such problems shows its preparedness in handling mental health problems.
Role of the Employer in Workplace Health Management
At workplaces, health management is the responsibility of the employer. He or she must make adequate preparations to handle the employee’s safety and well-being. Although the employee has no obligation to disclose his or her mental health history to the employer, the organisation should have systems to avert it. The following are some of the actions an employer can do to avert or manage a mental health situation at the workplace.
- Do in-house training on mental health – since colleagues can easily see mental health issues among their colleagues, the organisation should invest in periodic mental health training. It includes education on the signs of mental disorders and first aid training.
- Before admission, ensure you get the health history from the employee. The information is essential as it gives the organisation a head start in case such a condition occurs. It also acts as a guideline on how to relate with the worker throughout their engagement.
- Counselling – many organisation has guided and counselling services, either in-house or outsourced. They are assistance programs on occupational health that tries to bridge the gap between personal and professional health.
- Alternative work arrangements – organisations can suggest flexible working conditions to help mitigate mental health issues. Basing on the cause of the disorder, the company can suggest the employee work from home, have flexible working hours, or reduce the working hour
Role of the Employee in Workplace Health Management
Conditions leading to mental breakdown might be either work-related or personal. The victim rarely knows when they are slipping into a mental breakdown. However, mental health is a person’s responsibility. Firstly, as a worker, you should avoid strenuous activities, especially if you have a mental health history. At the point of admission, such information must be surrendered so that the company can customise tasks execution.
Secondly, incorporate self-care in the daily routine. It makes the employee aware when signs of mental problems such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and depressions begin. They can seek help as soon as the symptoms start showing.
Thirdly, in case there is something personal one needs to share, let him or her do so. Problem sharing has a therapeutic effect that releases stress. The human resource department can help with work-related issues while the counselling department can handle personal problems. Most people do not feel comfortable sharing their woes with anyone. However, they can reveal without releasing the intricate details.
Lastly, do not strain to please the management. Ensure you do what you are good at. Accepting who you are is the first step to self-identity. It makes you work enjoyable, fruitful, and effortless. Eat well, drink responsibly, and ask for help when the need arises.
