World Mental Health Day 2023: In this fast-paced world, everyone is at competition with others almost at every point of time. The nature of society and people’s expectations are to blame for this attitude in people. The urge to stay ten steps ahead of others motivates one to work extremely hard but in the pursuit of fulfilling dreams, people often end up neglecting their health. While physical health is often paid attention to, mental health goes overlooked.
Constant comparison with peers, destructive criticism, and a lack of appreciation are fuelling factors that deteriorate the mental health of working professionals. Most people advocate the importance of mental health, but when it comes to practising what they preach, they do the opposite of what they teach others to do, and harm others’ mental health.
The awareness of mental health problems is increasing, but many working professionals keep ignoring the signs and symptoms of stress. These warning signs could be physical or emotional, or result in interpersonal issues at work.
Warning signs of deteriorating mental health among working professionals, and ways to cope up
Anxiety, depression, migraines, sleep disorders, and inability to concentrate are some of the signs of deteriorating mental health among working professionals.
“Physical signs and symptoms of deteriorating mental health in working professionals include recurring migraines or headaches, pain in the muscles, particularly in the back, shoulders, and neck, low energy, fatigue, and sleep issues, among others. Emotional signs and symptoms include persistent work-related stress and anxiety, mood swings, irritability, depression-like emotions, having trouble focusing or making judgements, and low self-esteem,” Dr Muniya Bhattacharya, Consultant Psychologist, Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram, told ABP Live.
Dr Bhattacharya also said that due to increased stress, interpersonal issues may arise at work. Examples include strained interactions with superiors or coworkers and a feeling of isolation.
Mental health difficulties in working professionals can also lead to performance deterioration. For instance, they may miss deadlines, have unfinished work, their quality of work may decrease, and they may face difficulty attaining objectives or reaching specified goals and standards, Dr Bhattacharya said. “Managing employee stress and maintaining mental health in the workplace is crucial for both the well-being of team members and the success of an organisation.”
According to Dr Bhattacharya, some strategies that can help improve the mental health of working professionals include open communication, maintenance of work-life balance, training and resources on stress management, flexibility of work hours, reduced workload, recognition and rewards, a healthy working environment, stress-reduction activities, promotion of social connections, and conflict resolution.
“Workplaces should encourage open and honest communication between employees and management. They should create a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing their concerns, workload, and stressors. Workplaces must promote work-life balance by setting clear expectations for working hours and encouraging employees to take breaks and use their vacation time,” said Dr Bhattacharya.
She recommended that workplaces must provide training and resources on stress management and mental health. “This can include workshops, webinars, or access to mental health professionals.”
In order to reduce commuting-related stress and to accommodate the personal needs of employees, there should be flexible work arrangements such as remote work options and flexible hours, Dr Bhattacharya said. “Workplaces should ensure that workloads are manageable and realistic. They should monitor workloads and redistribute tasks when necessary to prevent burnout.”
Dr Bhattacharya also emphasised the importance of recognition and rewards. “Managers should recognise and reward employees for their hard work and achievements. Feeling appreciated can boost morale and reduce stress. Offices should create a physically and psychologically healthy workplace. Ensure that the workspace is ergonomic and conducive to productivity.”
Dr Bhattacharya suggested that workplaces should offer stress-reduction activities like yoga, mindfulness sessions, or access to an employee assistance program. “They should encourage social interactions among employees to build a supportive workplace community. A clear process for resolving workplace conflicts promptly and fairly must be developed.”
Other ways to improve employee mental health include leadership training, regular one-on-one meetings between managers and employees, policy reviews, mental health days, and progress monitoring, according to Dr Bhattacharya. “Workplaces should train managers and leaders to be empathetic, supportive, and understanding of their employees’ mental health needs. They should conduct regular one-on-one meetings between managers and employees to discuss work-related concerns and mental health. Workplace policies should be reviewed and updated to ensure they promote a healthy work environment and accommodate mental health needs. Workplaces must allow employees to take mental health days when needed without penalty.”
She concluded that it is important to remember that creating a mentally healthy workplace is an ongoing process, and it requires a commitment from both employees and management. “By implementing these strategies, one can help reduce employee stress and promote a positive work environment.”