Stress. Depression. Workplace pressure. Life can be messy. That’s why it’s important to prioritize your mental health not only at home but at work. World Mental Health Day is on Thursday, October 10, and it’s a good reason to take steps to improve your mental and emotional well-being. Here’s what you need to know about mental health and work.
How you can help yourself and your colleagues
- Express gratitude. Simply saying “I appreciate you!” can improve working relationships and create a more collaborative workplace. Gratitude not only benefits the recipient, but you as well.
- Practice email etiquette. When writing emails, make sure to include an accurate subject line, a concise summary of your request, and a clear deadline. Re-read before you send it to check for tone. Your words may not have the impact you intended.
- Schedule fewer meetings. You can help lower your stress by only scheduling meetings when necessary. This gives you more time to get your work finished without the stress of attending meeting after meeting. If you can say it in an email, do so.
- Participate in mindfulness activities. Take a few moments throughout the day to focus on the present. Practice deep breathing exercises to reduce stress, meditate to clear your mind, or take a walk to boost your mood.
- Be a source of social support. Be present and engage in active listening with your colleagues. Provide emotional support. If you’re in a supervisory role, it is important for you to build a psychologically safe environment, model for mental health practices, and be a source of social support for those on your team.
An estimated 15% of working-age adults experience a mental health issue at some point in time. Depression and anxiety are estimated to cost the global economy $1 trillion each year due to lost productivity. And people living with severe mental health conditions are largely excluded from work, despite the fact that participation in economic activities is important for recovery.*
Find support with the Employee Assistance Program
The EAP is available 24/7/365 at no cost to you – whenever you or your family members are facing emotional, financial, legal or other concerns. Contact the EAP to take advantage of these special features:- Short-term confidential counseling sessions, in person or by phone.
- Work-life solutions, including resources and referrals for child and elder care and more.
- Legal support from on-staff, licensed attorneys to speak about legal concerns.
- Answers to financial questions from on-staff CPAs, Certified Financial PlannersTM, and other financial experts.
- Timely, expert information on thousands of topics, provided by GuidanceResources® Online. You can search for qualified child and elder care, attorneys, and financial planners, as well as ask questions, take self-assessments and more.