Monarch Wel
Fostering Mental Health in the Workplace
BY : Joy Himmel , Psy . D , LPC , NCC , RN , FACHA Director for Counseling Services
In a study of over 2,000 working adults between the ages of 23 and 38 , 62 % say they felt pressure to be available , to be “ on ” for work , around the clock ( emails , phone calls , etc .) ( Yellowbrick , April 2019 )
“ Burnout is when somebody just feels depleted from doing the task at hand . It happens when the demands being put upon you exceed the resources you have . The tank is empty .” Alice Domar , PhD , Director of the Domar Center for Mind / Body Health .
Now more than ever , attention to your mental health and the mental health of your colleagues is vitally important . Mental health in the workplace is a critical component of employee well-being , job satisfaction , retention , workplace productivity and departmental success . It is important to look at factors that are influencing mental well-being , and effective strategies for creating a supportive and conducive work environment . Campus leaders have the responsibility to prioritize and foster mental health to provide a supportive work environment .
Numerous factors contribute to mental wellbeing in the workplace , including job demands , organizational culture , interpersonal relationships in the workplace , and the balance between work and personal life . Recognizing these factors is essential for implementing effective strategies to promote mental health . Workplace stress has been identified as one of the biggest sources of employee anxiety and depression , and chronic stress can even have prolonged negative impacts on one ' s psychological and physical well-being . 1
Employers and managers play a crucial role in fostering a mentally healthy workplace . This involves creating a positive organizational culture , providing mental health resources and support seriously , promoting work-life balance , allowing for flexibility in scheduling , and addressing workplace stressors . Managers need to be trained to recognize signs of mental distress and create space for safe and open communication channels . Encouraging open conversations about mental health reduces stigma and encourages a culture of mutual support .
Find the humor in things - don ’ t take yourself so
Prioritize time for yourself daily - meditate , take a walk , do what makes you smile
Practice work / life balance
Nutrition - keep a food journal
Exercise - commit to even 15 minutes per day
Prioritize Sleep
Eliminate people / things that suck your time or energy
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