Over three quarters of a million workers in the UK suffer from work-related stress, depression and anxiety. This year, World Mental Health Day, which takes place on the 10th October, is campaigning to make a difference, with the theme: ‘it’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace’.
According to national statistics, people in the UK spend a third of their life at work, so it’s essential that workplaces are set up to support mental health. But what does this look like? Well, first of all, companies need to be mindful of workload and work-life balance to ensure that staff can switch off after-hours, which reduces stress and prevents burnout.
It’s also important that workplaces encourage open conversations around mental health, while trying to reduce stigma. Many people feel uncomfortable about opening up about their mental health in the workplace in case they’re seen as weak or unable to cope. According to Mental Health Foundation, one of the top reasons that people give for not telling their colleagues about a mental health issue is a fear of discrimination.
To create a culture where people feel safe in opening up about their mental health, it can help if employers give staff mental health training to improve their understanding. The more awareness that people have of mental health, the less stigma there is. There should also be policies in place that support those who are going through a difficult time.
While many of the ways to improve a workplace’s attitude towards mental health fall on the employer's shoulders, there are also things that we can do as individuals to take care of our mental health at work:
Have you been struggling to concentrate? Are you doubting yourself or feeling low? Do you feel as though there’s too much going on and you can’t cope? These can be signs that you’re struggling with your mental health.
Experiencing a mental health issue is nothing to be ashamed of and it’s not uncommon (1 in 4 people will go through a mental health problem each year) but it’s important to notice when you’re not feeling like yourself so that you can take steps to manage the situation.
Familiarise yourself with your workplace’s mental health policies, which will probably be in your employee handbook or your contract. Some employers offer mental health days, or benefits that you can access, like therapy.
If you’re struggling with your mental health, you could also discuss making reasonable adjustments with HR or your line manager. This might include things like work-from-home days or flexible working hours so that you can go to doctor appointments or therapy sessions.
It’s so important to set boundaries between work and your life outside of work (we’ve written about boundaries here). When we’re constantly working and we don’t give ourselves time to relax or think about other things, this can lead to chronic stress and burnout.
Make sure that you give yourself time to focus on your personal life, and when you’re away from work, resist the temptation to check your emails or answer work calls. If you find that you can’t take time away from work, this might be a sign that your workload isn’t manageable.
How well we take care of ourselves has a big impact on our mental health. Eating a balanced diet, exercising and getting plenty of sleep is essential; without good sleep, we struggle to concentrate and remember things, which can affect our performance at work.
When you’re not at work, it’s also a good idea to carve out time where you can just relax, without doing anything else. Maybe you could have a bath, read, meditate or watch your favourite TV show. As long as you’re able to switch off and unwind, you’ll feel the benefit.
Talking about your feelings is not only good for your mental health, it also helps to create a culture where we’re all more open about our struggles. If you are experiencing a mental health issue due to work, or a mental health issue is affecting your work, it might help to speak to your line manager during a catch up to let them know what’s happening so that they can support you.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your manager, is there another colleague who you trust that you can open up to? You might want to think about how much you want to disclose and consider a good time and place to have the conversation.
If you’re unable to speak to your colleagues about a work-related mental health issue, make sure that you speak to a friend or family member about the challenges you’re facing instead. You can also call Samaritans listening service for free on 116 123.
If you’re struggling with a mental health issue, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with ieso can help. We treat a number of common mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Our service is completely online, with typed sessions and video calls in some areas. Find out more about what we do.
Mental health affects us all. This means it's essential that mental health services are equally available to everyone, everywhere. This World Mental Health Day, 10th October, we explore the right to access care.
This week is National Work Life Week, a campaign led by the charity, Working Families, to get people talking about wellbeing at work and work-life balance.
Have you noticed a change in a friend or family member’s behaviour or mindset? Maybe they’re isolating themselves, worrying more than usual or acting erratically. Here are some tips on how you can support them.