Mental health is an important factor that affects all aspects of our lives, especially our careers. Work is one of the most significant sources of stress in life, and it is important to remember that it can also have a massive impact on our mental well-being. That's why it's important to be aware of how work can affect your mental health and how to prevent it from becoming a problem.Â
How Mental Health Issues at Work Can Impact Wellbeing
Mental health issues can have a major impact on your well-being, both at work and in your personal life. For employers, unresolved depression can reduce productivity by 35%, whilst mental health problems can lead to increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and profits. Poor mental health and stress can negatively affect job performance and productivity, with estimates that over 12.5 million UK working days are lost each year due to it.
Employers are now recognizing the importance of focusing on preventative measures as an investment to protect the emotional well-being of their staff. As well as offering access to specialist support services, recognizing possible signs of stress or anxiety in colleagues is key for identifying any potential issues before they become more serious or unmanageable.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems
Mental health problems can be difficult to identify in the workplace, as many of the signs may not always be obvious. However, there are some warning signs that can indicate that an employee may be struggling.
Changes to mood, attitude, or performance: If an employee who was once a high performer suddenly exhibits troubling changes in their disposition and day-to-day performance, there are likely underlying causes that need to be addressed.
Increased absenteeism from work: If an employee begins frequently taking days off or using more vacation days than usual for no particular reason, it could be a sign of stress or anxiety.
Risky behavior: Employees who begin exhibiting reckless behaviors such as substance abuse or gambling may also be signaling deeper issues with their mental health.
It's important for employers to recognize these warning signs and take steps to address them in an appropriate manner. With the help of benefits specialists and other resources, it's possible to create a supportive environment in which employees feel safe to discuss their mental health struggles and take steps toward recovery.
The Role of Benefit Specialists in Mental Health Care
When it comes to mental health issues in the workplace, the role of benefit specialists is incredibly important. Benefits specialists can help to identify problem areas and offer solutions such as offering flexible scheduling or providing access to mental health services.
For example, The BurnLive Wellness Accelerator offers employees a comprehensive approach to wellness that not only helps them create a fit and healthier version of themselves but also helps reduce insurance costs for employers. Not only does the program offer physical exercise programming and habit-forming tools, but it also includes wellness coaching sessions and mindfulness education.
By offering comprehensive programs like these to their employees, benefits specialists can help promote a culture of open discussion around mental health and help provide access to resources that can improve employee wellbeing.
Promoting Holistic Wellness and Self-Care in the Workplace
The impacts of work on our mental health can be greatly reduced by incorporating holistic wellness into the workplace. By providing benefit specialists with the right tools, they can help their organizations understand the importance of promoting holistic wellness and self-care.
The BurnLive Wellness Accelerator is a great tool to help organizations make radical lifestyle changes that will result in improved physical and mental health among employees in just 90 days. It also helps reduce insurance costs by preventing illnesses associated with poor physical and mental health.
This program includes comprehensive assessments, goal tracking, webinar, interactive fitness tools, and personalized fitness plans. Additionally, it provides practical guidance on how to create daily self-care rituals like yoga and meditation that promote balance in life. With these programs in place, organizations can start to see the positive impact it has on their employees’ mental well-being and overall productivity.
Supporting Employees Through Mental Health Challenges
It’s estimated that mental health issues associated with work cost US employers around $80 billion annually in absenteeism, reduced productivity, and workers' compensation claims. It is essential for employers to take the necessary steps to promote employee well-being and prevent mental health issues from escalating.
Here are a few ways employers can support their employees in coping with mental health challenges:
Provide access to mental health resources: Make sure your employees know that they have access to resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) which provide 24/7 access to trained professionals who can help assess, diagnose, and treat issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related illnesses.
Create open communication channels: Ensure that employees have an outlet to talk openly about their mental health without fear of judgment or repercussion. Encourage employees to reach out when they're having difficulty and let them know there's a safe space where they can express themselves freely.
Implement employee wellness programs: Wellness programs can help employees cope with stress and stay mentally healthy. Examples include mindfulness sessions, regular exercise programs, group activities, online learning platforms for personal development, etc.
BurnLive's Wellness Accelerator is an excellent example of a comprehensive program designed specifically for businesses looking to provide sustainable solutions for improving their employees’ physical and mental well-being over time - helping them stay healthy in the long run!
Conclusion
Being aware of the ways our work can affect our mental health is an important part of managing our well-being. BurnLive is a great resource to promote holistic wellness and to help support individuals in creating a more positive lifestyle. Human resource or benefits specialists can also play a key role in helping to ensure employees are supported in their mental health. With the right resources, education, and support, a positive workplace culture can be created that encourages mental health awareness, self-care and physical fitness.
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