Most Common Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace

In the past four years, workers, managers, and organizations have seen a massive upheaval regarding traditional working practices, with one of the main discussions centered around mental health.

The impact of mental health and the workplace is a crucial concern. According to the World Health Organization’s data on workplace mental health, 12 million working days are lost to these issues every year, and the lost days have contributed to $1 trillion in lost productivity.

To address these issues effectively, companies need to be able to help employees who may be struggling. Here are some of the most common mental health challenges in the workplace:

Burnout caused by remote work

Burnout has rapidly become one of the top problems among professionals, and one key reason for this is the shift to remote work. A study from the BBC found that 80% of the participants said that working from home negatively impacted their mental health. One of the reasons given was the blurring of their work/life boundaries, with workers finding that they were working longer than they would in a traditional office. And with Maryville University reporting that the at-home workforce increased by 173% between 2005 and 2018 alone, with the pandemic pushing that number even further, more needs to be done by companies to spot and treat burnout among remote workers.

Companies can help remote workers suffering from burnout by offering flexible work hours to give them greater control of their time. High-pressure environments and lofty expectations can make it difficult for employees to adjust to a new way of working, easily causing exhaustion. Companies need to ensure their employees take full advantage of their vacation leave and take necessary breaks when needed.

Anxiety caused by a toxic workplace

As noted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety can hold people back from career advancements or work opportunities due to debilitating nervousness. A toxic workplace is a significant factor contributing to employee anxiety, and companies must be ready to address this. A lack of boundaries and support coupled with a negative workplace culture and stressful tasks can make it difficult for employees to find comfort and safety while working. To address this issue, a company must ensure that it has good open lines of communication. Confidential one-to-one sessions will allow employees to air any problems without any fear of blowback from their colleagues. Leaders also need to make sure they are approachable and lead by example.

Depression caused by long hours

Depression has been a long struggle for employees, and it has been proven that the workplace can exacerbate it. A study from the University of Michigan on depression risk and long hours found that people who worked 90 or more hours per week experienced higher depression symptom scores compared to those working 40 to 45 hours. Their scores were three times higher than people who worked fewer hours. Longer working times resulted in more stress and frustration, leading to lower work performance.

By providing adequate mental health benefits, a lighter workload, and fewer work hours, companies can relieve some of the stressors that aggravate depression and other issues. If employees are working long hours to get tasks done, managers need to react by hiring more staff to ease the burden. There also needs to be strict time protocols that ensure employees aren’t working beyond their contracted hours.

In Conclusion

Mental health support in the workplace is essential to ensure employee welfare and good business. It is in companies' best interest to invest in proper resources to guide workers experiencing these challenges for a better workplace overall.

If your mental health is being affected by your workplace, do what you can to make the most out of your free time, strive to achieve a work-life balance as much as possible, and reach out to co-workers and colleagues to find strength from a community that can empathize with you. When things get tough, speak out about the issues you see in your environment and culture. You may feel powerless at times, but your voice can be a starting point for change and instrumental in making the workplace better for everyone.

If you are also struggling in your private life, do read our article “How Does Overthinking Lead to Burnout”, which highlights how constantly fixating on the details can lead to indecision and stress.

exclusively written for SoulSpaceTucson.com

by River Jasmine