Did you know that 1 in 6 people, which is 14.7% of the population, experience mental health issues in the workplace? Research evidence suggests that as of 2024, 61% of people in the UK are considering leaving their job or have left their job due to the negative impact on their mental health. In our busy lifestyles marked by hectic schedules and constant work pressures, there is a need to focus on our mental well-being at work.
At City Psychological Services, we are devoted to providing the best psychological care that is straightforward and accessible. We aim to deliver expert psychological support that makes a difference. The following case study navigates the mental health issues in the workplace.
Y works in a multinational company. He works full-time from 9 am to 5 pm six days a week, with occasional work from home on Sundays. He lives with his family in London. He strives to give his best at work and is passionate about his job. It’s a festive season, so the workload increased. He now has to work overtime until half-past eight at night daily. He started experiencing a lot of stress about his work. He starts feeling a bit anxious when he enters the workplace as he is worried if he would be able to meet the targets assigned. He starts sweating and becomes tense on seeing the workload. He has difficulty going to sleep as he is worried about his work. Due to the constant work pressure, he is not able to focus on his personal life, and this, in turn, is having an impact on his mental health.
Importance of Mental Health at the Workplace
Employees' mental health is a significant aspect of workplaces. Mental health has an impact on the productivity and work performance of organisations. Poor mental health can have an adverse effect on the success of the business and can lead to enhanced absenteeism and high staff turnover. A productive work culture can enable a reduction in work conflicts.
Mental Health Issues at the Workplace
Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental health issues that take place in the workplace. Employees often experience a lot of stress due to work. They get worried about the approaching deadlines and showing a fear of getting laid off. This stress has an impact on their mood, personal life, and performance at work.
Strategies to Improve Mental Health at Work
Implementation of Staff Training in Mental Health and Addressing Stigma – The senior employees of the company should be made aware of the importance of mental health at work. Employers should address the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. This can be done by initiating awareness campaigns. Managers should be cooperative and open the ground for health conversations about mental health at the workplace.
Introduce Mental Health Initiatives – Formulating initiatives like lunch break walks, mindfulness sessions, free counseling services that boost employee well-being, and encourage habits conducive to good mental health can make a huge difference and show the organization's commitment to supporting mental health. Initiatives like employing flexible working arrangements like flexi-time and home working should be implemented as they can aid employees to achieve an effective work-life balance, which is key to good mental health.
Utilizing Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) - Employee Assistance Programmes are precious resources that can be utilised by employers to support mental health. EAPs enable private counselling services and referral programmes for employees who face mental health issues. By providing access to professional support, employers can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their workforce.
Developing Mental Health Policies and Procedures - To ensure a healthy work environment, employers should create and bring into effect comprehensive mental health policies and procedures. These policies should take into account guidelines for handling mental health disclosures, facilities for rational accommodations, and provide access to mental health resources. Enabling clear policies in place helps ensure that employees receive the support they require.
The symptoms of mental health issues like anxiety, stress, and depression faced by employees at work can be managed effectively. The significant treatment methodology that can be utilised to treat them is talking therapies. They are found to be helpful in the long run and can be held at an individual and group level. There are many kinds of talking therapies. A type of talking therapy that is employed by us to treat anxiety, stress, and depression is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most prevalent talk therapy. It is an effective tool to address emotional problems. It can be done one-on-one or in a group. There are four key stages of CBT. The first stage is identifying difficult situations. The second step is fostering awareness of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs about the problem. The third step is recognising the negative thinking, and focus is established on the behavioral response to situations. The fourth step is reshaping the negative thinking patterns. CBT is a short-term therapy ranging from 5 to 20 sessions.
We at City Psychological Services, located at the heart of London, provide consultation for the treatment of mental health issues at the workplace. We are committed to providing exceptional psychological care and exact support precisely when you need it.
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