It goes without saying that 2020/2021 took a huge toll on everyone’s mental health. And though some things have changed, it’s still pretty overwhelming. Considering that mental health is still not something that may be openly discussed- both in personal or professional lives- it’s something we wanted to delve into this Mental Health Month. Specifically, we’d like to shed light on mental health for working people: for both employees & employers.
The bottom line is: Mental health is health. It is just as important as our physical well-being, and people can benefit from professional help- help that, unfortunately, most have trouble accessing. Luckily, we’ve found a few organizations specializing in mental health, and their resources and tools can help make it easy for you. Whether you’re an employee struggling with working from home or going back to the office, or if you’re an employer and want to learn more about what may impact you and your employees – this article is for you.
Did you know?
Globally, an estimated 264 million people suffer from depression, one of the leading causes of disability, with many of these people also suffering from symptoms of anxiety. A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. (Source: World Health Organization)
For Employers
A healthy workplace can be described as one where workers and managers actively contribute to the working environment by promoting and protecting the health, safety and well-being of all employees (WHO).
A Practical Toolkit to Help Employers Build an Inclusive Workforce
“Most people who have lived experience with a mental health condition not only want to work, they can make important contributions […], it’s high time we saw more effort across corporate Canada to embrace diversity and inclusion — something this toolkit is specifically designed to help you do.”
Guidelines to Support Employers Through COVID-19
“Emergency management and business continuity programs typically focus on minimizing the risk of physical injury, property damage, security breaches, and economic loss. But emergencies and disasters can significantly impact mental health and operational procedures in any employment situation. […] Building mental health into your plans can minimize the potential negative impacts on the organization and improve the effectiveness and sustainability of a healthy business recovery.”
Workplace Mental Health – A Review and Recommendations
“For many, work is a source of wellbeing, an opportunity to be productive and contribute to society. For a significant number of others, however, work can be a source of stress that leads to poor mental health and/or the place where mental illness can manifest. […] Creating a mentally healthy workplace requires an investment of time, resources and leadership, but the outcomes are worth it for businesses and employees.”
More resources and handbooks from all around the world:
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
For Employees
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
Guidelines and suggestions with resources that might help!
Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Workplace
“Reduced turnover also has positive outcomes for team cohesion and relationships – no-one likes it when friends and colleagues leave a workplace, and constant changes to team dynamics can be unsettling for everyone involved. […] All employees play a significant part in shaping workplace attitudes and the overall working environment” – learn more about what can you do to make your workplace a better place to work!
Read More:
Our Client’s Story:
Previous article on Mental Health:
