Why Mental Health is Important in Workplace?

Mental health in the workplace is a pressing concern as it affects both employees and businesses. The various forms of abuse, such as violence, bullying, discrimination, and harassment, can significantly impact the well-being and productivity of workers. Gender-specific abuse further exacerbates the issue, necessitating a comprehensive approach to address these challenges. Nearly 1 in 5 adults report experiencing some form of mental illness, and 71% of adults experience stress-related symptoms. Poor mental health not only impacts individual well-being but also affects job performance, productivity, and overall workplace dynamics.

Why is Employee’s Mental Health Important?

Addressing mental health in the workplace is a shared responsibility that requires collaborative efforts from employers, employees, healthcare providers, and policymakers. The impact of workplace abuse on employees’ emotional and physical health is profound. It leads to anxiety, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, workplace violence, often directed at women, can result in fatalities. Also, tackling these issues is crucial to ensure a safe and supportive work environment that promotes employees’ mental health and well-being.

How to Enhance Mental Health Procurement at Workplace?

Mental health can be procured at a workplace with the help of the strategies given below:

• By promoting awareness, fostering supportive work environments
• Implementing comprehensive mental health programs.
• We can create mentally healthy workplaces that benefit both individuals and businesses.

Also Read: Ways to Improve Your Career Prospects

Types of Abuse in Workplace

Following are some types of abuse that employees may face in their workplace:

Violence: Workplace violence is characterized by physical harm or threats against individuals at the workplace. It can lead to severe injuries and even fatalities. Factors like working alone, at night, or in isolated areas increase the risk of violence. Women are disproportionately affected by workplace violence.

Bullying: Workplace bullying involves various behaviours, from isolation to verbal threats. Bullies create a hostile work environment, causing anxiety, depression, and fear in their victims. Supervisors who demean or threaten employees also contribute to workplace bullying.

Discrimination: Discriminatory behaviour unfairly treats workers based on characteristics like race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Discrimination leads to emotional and physical consequences, such as depression, high blood pressure, and decreased productivity.

Harassment: Harassment consists of offensive actions or comments that create a hostile workplace. Harassment victims suffer emotional, physical, and social effects similar to other forms of workplace abuse.

Gender-Specific Abuse in the Workplace

Gender-specific abuse adds another layer of complexity to workplace challenges. Women often face discrimination and harassment based on their gender, leading to unequal opportunities, lower pay, and limited career advancement. Additionally, workplace violence disproportionately affects women, making it essential to address these gender-specific issues.

Relevant Read: 10 Tips for Students to Improve Their Mental Health

How Can Mental Health Impact Job?

Mental Health is of utmost importance especially when it is closely intertwined with several aspects of self-

1. A positive and healthy workplace helps employees to function well. The work inputs improve due to which the company gets benefitted as a whole entity.

2. A stressful work environment, on the other hand, leads to several issues for both the company and its employees. A company with a toxic environment might face issues with employee retention, productivity and absenteeism. An individual dealing with a poor work environment might face issues such as loss of interest/identity, PTSD and frustration/anger issues etc.

How to Promote Mental Health in Workplace?

Following are some solutions for employees on how to prevent or raise their voices against workplace bullying. Even employers should pay heed to these to ensure a safe and non-toxic work environment for their employees.

Must Read: How to Identify Your Next Best Career Opportunity?

Employers

Following are some tips for employers to ensure that they enable a positive work culture for their employees-

Implement zero-tolerance policies for violence, bullying, discrimination, and harassment.

Create workplace violence prevention programs and encourage reporting of violent activities.

Provide mental health self-assessment tools and clinical screenings for employees.

Offer free or subsidized counseling and mental health support.

Conduct seminars or workshops on stress management techniques and relaxation methods.

Train managers to recognize signs of stress, depression, and abuse in team members and encourage seeking professional help.

Employees

Following are some tips for employees to ensure that they are able to safeguard their mental health and take appropriate legal action in case they face abuse-

Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with workplace harassment laws and regulations to understand what constitutes harassment and your legal recourse.

Be assertive: Stand up for yourself and assert your boundaries if you encounter inappropriate behaviour.

Report promptly: If you experience or witness harassment, report it to the appropriate authorities in your organization immediately.

Be assertive: Stand up for yourself and assert your boundaries if you encounter inappropriate behavior.

Support colleagues: Be an ally to your colleagues and encourage a culture of support and solidarity.

Seek legal advice: If the situation persists, consider seeking legal advice from an employment lawyer to understand your options.

FAQs

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Embracing a culture of open communication, empathy, and support will not only improve employees’ well-being but also contribute to enhanced productivity, engagement, and job satisfaction, ultimately leading to a more resilient and thriving workforce. 

Let us strive together to create workplaces that prioritize mental health, break down stigmas, and nurture the holistic well-being of every employee. Follow Leverage Edu for interesting and awareness-related blogs.