Mental Health in the Workplace
A mentally healthier workplace — because there's no one-size-fits-all approach.
Mental health is all about how we think, feel and behave, and it's a most common problem at the workspace. At least one in six workers is experiencing common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression (source: Mind).
Seventy percent of the global workforce say 2020 was the most stressful year ever. And just like COVID-19, the mental health crisis takes on different shapes and sizes across every job, generation and geography.
As the global workforce adapts to the new workplace, safety professionals in particular are facing a lot of challenges, seeking support and turning to their employers for help. Mental health at work requires attention and immediate swift action. A safe and healthy workplace is one which promotes workers' mental well-being and understands its significant impacts.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health in the workplace. Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression are routinely listed as top concerns in employee health surveys and are the second leading cause of workplace absenteeism and work impairment. Even moderate depressive or anxiety symptoms can affect work performance and productivity.
Longer working hours might seem productive for the company, but they take their toll on individual workers, contributing to higher rates of mental stress and burnout and noticeable negative effects on mental health. When home and office become one, it can be difficult for workers to establish healthy boundaries between the two.
You might not be talking about it because, unfortunately, in many workplaces mental health is still a taboo subject. As a result, many people feel scared and confused about confronting the issue at work.
Our Mental Health Strategy Development process includes real-life case studies from experienced and engaging speakers. We believe the best support comes from those who have first-hand experience of dealing with, and overcoming, their own mental health issues.
We at Demoura Lawson Consulting (DMLC) are working with a number of key partners to deliver a range of Mental Health First Aid Training programmes and work with organisations within the Middle East to develop an improved Workplace Mental Health Strategy.
To achieve a safe workplace, DMLC creates and implements a consolidated workplace health and safety programme — a series of well-tested strategies and related activities to continually improve or maintain the quality of working life, health and the well-being of the workforce.