The Importance of Mental Health in Work

 

The Importance of Mental Health in Work




Introduction

The topic of mental health is becoming more and more important. In fact, according to the Mental Health Foundation, one in five people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. This has led to many people asking questions about how best to support their own or someone else's mental health at work. While this can be an uncomfortable subject for some people (and even more so for others), it is crucial that we start talking openly about how our minds impact our working lives if we want to improve them both individually and collectively.

 

Why Mental Health is Important to Business

It's important to note that mental health is as important as physical health. It can affect your productivity and attendance, which can impact the bottom line of your business.

To help employees manage their mental health, it's a good idea to offer them resources such as:

  • Mental health first aid training
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) courses or workshops
  • Employee assistance programs (EAPs) for employees and their families

 

The Effect of Mental Health on Productivity and Attendance

Mental health problems can affect your productivity and attendance, which can affect your company's bottom line. Mental health problems can lead to absenteeism, presenteeism and even turnover.

Absenteeism is when you are not at work due to illness or injury (e.g., inpatient care). Presenteeism is when someone comes to work but is not fully productive due to actual or perceived physical or mental illness (e.g., heart attack). Turnover refers to a person leaving the job voluntarily (quitting) or involuntarily (being fired).

When it comes to productivity, there’s a difference between what you create on an hourly basis while at work and off-site projects that require extra time outside of normal working hours; i.e., overtime pay for more than 40 hours per week must be paid at 1½ times the regular rate of pay rather than just getting paid for 40 hours straight without any breaks in between if someone worked 55 hours instead of 40!

 

The Costs of Poor Mental Health in the Workplace

A recent survey by The Mental Health Foundation found that 70% of British workers worry about their mental health, with 22% saying they have felt depressed at work. This is unsurprising when you consider that mental health issues are more common than you think: an estimated 1 in 4 people will experience a diagnosable mental health problem every year.

The impact of poor mental wellbeing can be devastating – not only for employees but also for employers and society as a whole. In the UK alone, depression costs £70bn per year through lost productivity and increased absence among those affected by it. Other research shows that those suffering from anxiety or stress in the workplace were almost three times more likely to report high levels of sickness absence than their colleagues without such problems – and this has a direct effect on businesses’ bottom line, as well as their reputation in the community where they operate.

How to Improve Mental Health at Work

There are many ways to improve your mental health at work. The most effective way is to get enough sleep, eat well and take breaks. It is also important to get regular exercise and join a sports team or hobby group.

Make sure you take time to take care of your mind as well as your body.

It is important to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health. If you are feeling stressed or worried, it can be helpful to take some time out for relaxation and exercise. Eating well is also important for both body and mind. If you are worried about your wellbeing, talk to someone about what’s going on in your life and see if they have any suggestions or advice that might help.

Conclusion

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. It's time to make this a priority.