The Silent Crisis Unfolding: Impact on Workplace Dynamics
As the professional world continues to pursue success, there is one silent epidemic that often goes unnoticed – the battle against mental health in the workplace.
This issue has worsened since the aftermath of Covid-19, and it reveals some shocking statistics.
According to GOQii India Fit 2022-23 report on Stress and Mental Health, over 10,000 people participated and found out that work environment and financial stability were leading causes of stress among citizens.
The report has captured long working hours, job insecurity worries, low wages as well as intense competition with 26% Indians being stressed because of workplace issues while 17% suffer financial instability.
But there is still a lot of shame attached to mental health problems which prevents people from seeking help.
This fear is also identified by psychotherapist Nikita Benjamin who says that those faced with these challenges are afraid they will be seen as incapable or unable to handle stressors at work.
Unveiling Stigma: Hesitancy in Seeking Support
This fear is further amplified by a competitive professional environment where individuals have no option but to hide their problems for fear of ruining their chances.
Cultural aspects were also highlighted by Benjamin who pointed out how not enough solutions exist within societies when it comes down to talking about mental illness since they feel like nothing can be done about it anyway.
Furthermore, alpha behavior discourages vulnerability thus discouraging expression of emotions making matters worse for victims.
According to Dr Sneha Sharma, psychiatrist; historically judgments viewed seeking help as a sign of weakness.
Consequently, initiatives such as Mental Healthcare Act (2017) are important in creating an atmosphere where employees may freely discuss their own psychological difficulties while at work without feeling ostracized by colleagues or superiors.
Identifying Distress and Red Flags
Psychiatrists emphasize how essential it is for peers to identify signs indicating distress once again breaking down barriers around mental health discussions within workplaces.
Behavioral changes that deviate from an individual’s normal activities especially those related to their jobs serve as red flags.
Dr Ashutosh Shah, psychiatrist at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital emphasized this by saying that psychiatric disorders reduce life expectancy and overall quality of life significantly thereby establishing a two-way link between mental health and physical wellbeing.
Unmasking ‘Hidden’ Habits Impacting Mental Health
The need to always meet societal expectations through excessive self-imposed pressure fueled by social media comparisons and information overload contributes greatly to dissatisfaction.
These included long working hours among others which were termed as hidden contributors by the experts.
Thus, disconnecting from social media after work or engaging in activities that bring joy into one’s life were recommended as ways of countering such pressures.
Gender Disparities and Work Culture
Pay disparities along gender lines coupled with continued home based roles play a part in causing unequal mental health outcomes between men compared with women.
Women experience unequal distribution of household responsibilities as well as societal expectations regarding family life versus career aspirations.
Furthermore, emotional labor and gender stereotypes make it even harder for women who have to bear more burdens because they are expected to be caregivers both at home and workplaces.
The Path Forward: Breaking the Silence
In conclusion, experts unanimously argue for collective efforts aimed at eradicating stigma surrounding mental health issues while encouraging open conversations about them.
People who suffer from these conditions are advised to seek counseling or therapy while those struggling with mental illness can find solace in either one or both interventions respectively.
Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace
In order for management to create mentally healthy environments, it plays an essential role towards the realization of said objective.
Dr Sharma (2017) who recommends awareness sessions, so employees feel comfortable enough talking openly about their own psychological problems within workplaces, without being discriminated against by colleagues or superiors.
Flexible schedules which accommodate personal needs; peer support programs where individuals can share experiences with others facing similar challenges; and supportive work environments where employees are not afraid of losing their jobs when asking for help.
The Imperative Conversation
Mental health issues must be spoken of at the workplace. It is not only the duty of a society to talk about these matters regarding psychological health at work, but also an important way of creating a good working space.
The recent global outbreak has led to a realization that there needs to be a more open discussion on mental illness and its impact on employees in order for companies to flourish after it has passed.
