Mental Health in the Workplace

Key takeaways

• Mental health issues can significantly impact the ability to show up, be productive, and meet expectations in the workplace.

• Workplace stress can negatively impact mental health and contribute to issues like burnout, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

• Workplace factors like long hours, low pay, heavy workload, workplace conflict, and poor leadership can increase the risk for work-related mental health challenges.

The importance of mental health awareness in the workplace

Mental health conditions are common, affecting approximately 20-25% of the U.S. population and about 15% of the workforce.^[1][5] The impact of mental health issues is not contained to a person’s home and family life, and often spills into their work life. According to the research, the impact of mental illness on the workplace is significant and far-reaching.

Issues like absenteeism, low productivity, inability to fulfill obligations, and complete tasks are some of the common ways that mental health issues can impact a person’s performance at work.^[3][4][5] These can increase the risk for disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

Even in individuals without a pre-existing mental health condition, negative work environments and conditions can be damaging to mental health. Factors like poor workplace culture, long working hours, tension among colleagues, and unsupportive leadership can cause people to experience high levels of stress and burnout. Over time, this stress can increase the risk for common mental health issues like anxiety disorders and depression.^[1][3]

Common mental health issues employees face

The most common mental health conditions affecting working adults are depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Unmanaged, these conditions can become so debilitating that they prevent a person from being able to maintain stable employment. Unemployment can significantly impact a person’s basic needs in ways that further worsen their mental health, creating a cycle.

Depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are chronic mental health conditions that require long-term treatment to manage. In some cases, work-related mental health issues are more acute and temporary in nature. For example, a person may experience a temporary increase in stress when they are under a lot of pressure at work. During these times, they may find that they become more irritable, anxious, or have trouble sleeping, but that these problems resolve when conditions at their job improve.

How does the workplace affect mental health?

The workplace can affect a person’s mental health in several ways, both positive and negative. For example, doing meaningful work that you are paid well for and enjoy is likely to improve your mental health and overall sense of happiness. Positive experiences at work can boost your self-esteem and provide you with a sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

When your experience at work is more negative and stressful, there can be several negative impacts to your mental health, including:^[1][2][3]

• Heightened stress and burnout.

• Increased anxiety and worry.

• Sleep difficulties and insomnia.

• Irritability and moodiness.

• Feeling down, depressed, detached, disillusioned, or unmotivated.

• Increased cravings or urges to drink or use drugs.

• Lowered confidence and self-esteem.

• Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.

• Stress related to job security.

• Worry about financial stability.

• Strained interpersonal relationships.

• Trouble focusing or getting things done.

Stress and burnout

Work is a significant source of stress for many adults, according to research.^[4] Workplace stressors like needing to work long hours, meet unrealistic productivity requirements, or conflict with colleagues or supervisors are common contributing factors.^[2] When these problems are temporary in nature, most people find that their work-related stress is manageable. However, when these problems are more chronic and systemic in nature, there is an increased risk for burnout.^[1][3]

Burnout is a chronic state of mental and emotional exhaustion caused by unmanaged stress in the workplace. When someone is burned out, they often experience symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both. They will often find it difficult to focus or to find the energy and motivation to get things done.^[1][3][5] This can lead to procrastination and performance issues, which can worsen the feelings of exhaustion and hopelessness they feel at work.

Company culture and leadership

Research suggests that company culture and leadership are also major factors that mediate the relationship between the workplace and employee mental health. Cultural problems like workplace bullying, harassment, or exclusion increase the risk for negative mental health impacts in workers.^[2][5]

Poor leadership is also linked to lower work satisfaction and a higher risk for stress, burnout, and mental health issues among employees.^[2][4][5] For example, employees who feel micromanaged, unsupported, or criticized by their supervisors are more likely to feel stressed and unhappy at work.

Harassment, bullying, and discrimination

Workplace cultures become toxic when harassment, bullying, and discrimination are commonplace. A toxic work environment that condones these types of abusive behaviors is very likely to negatively impact a person’s mental health and stability. Over time, these issues can even contribute to chronic mental health problems like anxiety or depression. These impacts may become severe enough that a person feels they have no other choice except to leave their job.^[1][2][5]

Remote working

Remote working can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. For some workers, the flexibility of being able to work remotely decreases stress and allows for greater work-life balance.^[6] For example, working parents may appreciate the ability to work remotely because it allows them to more easily attend to their parenting responsibilities throughout the work week.

While remote work offers increased flexibility, it can also have drawbacks and unintended consequences for employee mental health. For example, remote workers may be at higher risk for social isolation, which is a known risk factor for mental illness and addiction. Others may find remote work is a drawback because it reduces the structure and accountability they need to meet expectations at work. Some may also struggle more to stay engaged when working remotely versus being in-person in an office environment.^[6]

Recognizing signs of poor mental health in employees and colleagues

Unfortunately, many mental health issues go unrecognized in the workplace. Many employees may avoid disclosing mental health struggles or seeking help from supervisors or colleagues because of the stigma surrounding mental illness. Knowing some of the signs of poor mental health can help people recognize and address these issues when they arise in the workplace.

Here are some of the signs that someone in the workplace may be struggling with mental health challenges:^[1][2][5]

• Poor attendance or increased tardiness.

• Impaired performance or productivity.

• Appearing more disheveled.

• Becoming more irritable or easily bothered.

• Seeming more overwhelmed or stressed.

• Looking or acting more exhausted.

• Low mood, motivation, or increased cynicism.

• Being more easily distracted or unfocused.

• Decreased social interaction with colleagues.

Talking about mental health at work

Open dialogues around mental health in the workplace can help to reduce stigma and create an environment where issues are addressed earlier and more easily. Leaders within an organization can play a key role in creating this shift in workplace culture and leading by example.^[4][5]

Creating a safe space and open environment

Creating a safe and open environment to talk about mental health issues in the workplace is an essential first step. Leadership often plays a key role in creating this kind of culture. Checking in with employees about their workload, stress levels, and self-care needs is an example of how leaders can work towards a more open and accepting environment.^[4][5]

Responding in skillful and attentive ways when employees bring up their mental health issues is also important. Reasonable accommodations may be necessary to support employee wellness, especially during times of personal hardship. It is also important that employees feel they can disclose information in confidence with their supervisors, without needing to worry that this private information will be shared with others or used against them in some way.

Setting professional boundaries

Professional boundaries are a frontline prevention for workplace stress and burnout, and should be modeled and encouraged by the leadership within a workplace. Examples include limiting work-related correspondence to working hours and encouraging employees to avoid checking emails or working during their time off.

Other professional boundaries may involve maintaining professional working relationships with colleagues and subordinates by avoiding developing personal relationships outside of work. While these boundaries can vary depending on the industry, type of setting, and hierarchical structure, avoiding personal relationships can minimize the amount of workplace drama, stress and conflict that contributes to employee stress and dissatisfaction.

Supporting diverse and vulnerable groups

Because diverse and vulnerable groups are more likely to be marginalized, it may be necessary to take extra steps to ensure these groups feel heard, included, and valued within a workplace. For example, it may be important to periodically hold meetings or informational sessions to share information about company benefits and resources that are available to support individual employee needs.^[4][5]

Addressing crises

Occasionally, there may be mental health-related crises that arise within a workplace setting that require skillful responses. Personal hardships like illnesses or death within an employee's family may be a precipitating factor for a mental health crisis. In these instances, it may be necessary to consult with HR to find out what options are available for paid leave, EAP counseling and other benefits that could support the employee during their time of need.^[4][5]

In a crisis, it is essential that supervisors remain composed, supportive, and respond sensitively and compassionately to their staff. The personal needs of the employee may need to take precedence over the needs of the organization, and roles or tasks may need to be temporarily reduced or delegated. Being proactive in offering solutions is one of the ways that leaders can support staff in times of crisis.^[5]

How to cope with work-related stress and burnout

In most jobs, there are times of increased demand when workload and work-related stress are higher than normal. In the short-term, it may be possible to reduce the risk for stress and burnout by being proactive and taking steps to improve self-care. When these work-related stressors become more chronic and lasting in nature, these steps may be insufficient to prevent negative impacts on employee mental health.^[4]

Here are some ways to reduce work-related stress and burnout:^[4][5]

• Set boundaries to protect your work-life balance: Stick to your schedule and avoid working late or off-the-clock to protect your time off.

• Communicate your needs with supervisors: Be proactive and request assistance when your workload is becoming unmanageable.

• Take short breaks during the workday: Make sure to take adequate breaks for food, water, or rest between meetings or throughout the workday to lower stress.

• Be intentional during your time off: Practice effective self-care by ensuring you make time for activities that improve your social, emotional, and mental wellbeing.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and routine: Make sure to attend to the basics by getting good sleep, nutrition, and exercise to maintain your physical and mental well-being.

• Focus on things within your control: Direct your time, energy, and attention to improving things that are within your locus of control, rather than those you can’t change.

• Seek professional help: Contact your insurance plan to get a list of in-network options for counseling or utilize company EAP benefits to meet with a mental health professional.

• When all else fails, have an exit plan: If problems or stress at work feel persistent and unmanageable, work on your exit strategy by exploring other job opportunities, updating your resume, or contacting people in your professional network to inquire about other jobs.

Additional resources and programs

There may be additional mental health resources, benefits or programs available to you through your employer. If you need more information about these, contact your HR department to find out more about employee benefits and assistance programs. Each company’s benefit packages are structured a little differently, and your HR department will be able to provide you with the options available to you.