Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace
World Mental Health Day 2024 - It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace
World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th, highlights the essential role of mental well-being in our lives. This year’s theme, "It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace," emphasizes the need for organizations to foster environments that support mental health. Addressing mental health issues is crucial not only for employee well-being but also for organizational success.
Mental health significantly affects productivity, absenteeism, and turnover rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), employees who feel supported by their employers are more likely to be satisfied and committed to their jobs. This underscores the importance of creating supportive work environments.
Current Challenges and Barriers
Despite increasing awareness, barriers to effective mental health support in the workplace persist. Stigma remains a major obstacle; many employees have reservations about disclosing their mental health status at work due to fear of discrimination. This fear is compounded by a lack of adequate resources; many workplaces still struggle to provide comprehensive mental health support.
Additionally, workplace culture and high-pressure environments contribute to mental health challenges. Unrealistic expectations and stress can lead to burnout, creating a cycle that negatively impacts performance. In some workplaces, busy-ness and burnouts are even seen as symbols of commitment and achievements, and they are highly favored by the management.
Moreover, there is often a gap in training for managers and HR personnel. Many employees feel that their supervisors need better training to support staff dealing with mental health issues effectively.
Recent Research Findings
Recent studies provide insight into the current state of mental health in the workplace:
A 2023 survey by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) highlighted that 69% of employees in Asia experience increased stress and anxiety due to work-related pressures, with only 35% feeling comfortable discussing their mental health with their employers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2023 that the economic cost of lost productivity due to mental health issues in the Asia-Pacific region has risen to $220 billion annually.
In early 2024, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in India found that 44% of employees reported that mental health issues negatively impacted their work performance, with stress and burnout being significant factors.
According to the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) in 2023, 1 in 6 Singaporeans has experienced a mental health condition, with many not seeking help due to stigma and a lack of resources. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reported that 62% of employees felt their mental health was affected by work-related stress, and only 52% felt that their workplaces offered adequate support.
The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) conducted the Singapore Mental Health Study 2022, revealing that 14.3% of the adult population in Singapore experienced mental disorders, with anxiety and depression being most common.
Recent Developments
In an encouraging trend, Singapore is actively addressing mental health challenges in the workplace. Singapore is leading the way with the launch of the world’s first mental health benchmark for workplaces. As reported by The Straits Times, this initiative aims to create a standardized framework for assessing and improving mental health practices within organizations. The benchmark will provide guidelines on mental health policies, manager training, and employee support systems, representing a significant advancement in workplace mental health practices.
Channel News Asia also highlights that employers are increasingly focusing on well-being in response to rising mental health challenges. Experts note a growing recognition of the need for robust mental health strategies and resources to support employees dealing with anxiety and depression.
What can we do?
Recent reports have also shed light on the evolving landscape of workplace mental health. Harvard Business Review (HBR) emphasizes that the future of mental health at work lies in cultivating environments of safety, community, and a healthy organizational culture. Creating a supportive culture where employees feel safe and connected is essential for effective mental health support.
Leadership is essential in prioritizing mental health at work. Leaders must model healthy behaviors, openly discuss mental health, and demonstrate a commitment to supporting their teams. By setting a positive tone and reducing stigma, leaders can foster a more supportive and effective work environment.
Organizations can consider offering access to mental health resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), counseling services, and mental health workshops and virtual resources, and ensure that employees know how to access these resources.
Promoting Work-Life Balance can also be done through encouraging employees to take breaks, use their vacation days, and maintain a reasonable workload. Implementing regular check-ins between managers and employees to discuss workload, stress levels, and overall well-being can help identify issues early and provide support before problems escalate.
It is also important for organizations to recognize that different employees have different needs. Tailor mental health support to individual circumstances, whether through flexible working arrangements, personalized support plans, or access to specific resources.
On the other hand, employees also play a crucial role in managing their own mental health. They can contribute by fostering a culture of openness, sharing experiences, and encouraging conversations about mental health to reduce stigma. It is crucial that employees build self-awareness and mindfulness about how they are doing mentally and physically to allow support to be sought, if needed. Utilizing available workplace resources, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and counseling services, is vital. Employees should also prioritize overall self-care, including professional self-care.
Butler et al. (2019) define professional self-care as “managing or preventing work-related stress and stressors, reduce the risk or mitigate the effects of burnout and other workplace hazards, and increase work performance and satisfaction”. Some of the things we can do include:
Continuous learning and skill improvement for a sense of achievement
Finding meaning and personal fulfilment in work
Prioritizing fair compensation and maintaining a healthy work-life balance
Exercising open communication with management and colleagues regarding workload and work expectations
Building healthy and boundaried relationships with colleagues
Accepting mistakes with compassion, and seeking constructive feedback
Creating a comfortable physical environment for work
Creating a productive and comfortable routine/ arrangement for work (e.g. work from home or office? How many days in the week?)
Maintaining an external support network through connections with friends, and family can also provide emotional support and a sense of belonging. Having a fulfilling personal life through pursuit of hobbies and scheduling personal activities could also be an effective strategy to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Conclusion
On this World Mental Health Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to creating a workplace culture that values and supports mental health. By addressing barriers, reducing stigma, and implementing effective support strategies, we can foster healthier, more productive, and compassionate work environments. Employees, by proactively managing their own mental health and supporting their colleagues, also play a vital role in driving this positive change.
References
1. American Psychological Association (APA). "Workplace Well-being Survey". APA, 2023.
2. Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). "Mental Health in the Workplace: The 2023 Report". SHRM, 2023.
3. Asian Development Bank (ADB). "Mental Health in the Workplace in Asia". ADB, 2023.
4. World Health Organization (WHO). "Mental Health in the Workplace". WHO, 2023.
5. National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), India. "Workplace Stress and Mental Health Report". NIMHANS, 2024.
6. National Council of Social Service (NCSS), Singapore. "Singapore Mental Health Study". NCSS, 2023.
7. Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore. "Workplace Mental Health Survey". MOM, 2023.
8. Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Singapore. "Singapore Mental Health Study 2022". IMH, 2022.
9. The Straits Times. "World’s First Mental Health Benchmark for S’pore Workplaces is in the Works". The Straits Times, 2024.
10. Harvard Business Review (HBR). "The Future of Mental Health at Work is Safety, Community, and a Healthy Organizational Culture". HBR, 2023.
11. Channel News Asia. "Employers Increase Focus on Wellbeing in Workplaces Amid Rising Mental Health Challenges". Channel News Asia, 2023.
12. Butler, L. D., Mercer, K. A., McClain-Meeder, K., Home, D. M., & Dudley, M. (2019). Six domains of self-care: Attending to the whole person. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 29(1), 107-124.
