Employee Mental Health

On average, people spend about one-third of their life at work.  It is there that they perform activities and are judged by peers, so naturally the working environment is closely tied to self-esteem, anxiety, stress, social networking and quality of life.

Because the working environment can have such a profound impact on an individual’s mental wellbeing, the importance of a healthy working environment cannot be underestimated.  Common warning signs of employee mental illness in the workplace include:

  • Increased absenteeism
  • ­Greater perceived stress & excessive anxiety
  • Depressed mood and burnout
  • Decreased job satisfaction
  • Productivity loss
  • Withdrawal from social contact
  • Less commitment to the organization
  • Increased direct expense to employee benefit programs
  • Unusual displays of emotion (irritability, tearfulness, etc.)
  • Inability to cope with problems and daily activities
  • Marked personality change

Self Assessment Tools for Employees

The following is a list of tools that employees can use to assess their mental health and identify symptoms of common mental health issues.

Check Up From the Neck Up Quiz – This online mental health check-up can help identify symptoms of common mood disorders (such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder) so you know what is going on with your mental health, and can get help if you need it.

Mental Health Meter – Use this questionnaire to reflect on your unique strengths and identify areas where your level of mental fitness could be improved to help you cope with life’s up and downs.

Are You in Balance? – Assess your work-life balance by taking this quick quiz.

Emotional Wellness Self-Assessment - Measure your own mental health, emotional well-being.

Work-Life Balance:  Realizing Mental Wellness

Driven by complex changes in work and society, a growing number of workers are reporting difficulty managing both their private and working lives.  Whether the challenge is on the life side of the equation, on the work side, or the sum total of “way too much to do and not enough time to do it”, finding ways to manage work-life balance is important.

Work-life balance can be characterized as the ability to maintain equilibrium among all the priorities in an individual’s life; this state of balance is different for every person.  If an individuals life is not in balance, that can  lead to anxiety, stress, and emotional instability.  In fact, workers who report a high degree of stress balancing their work and family life missed an average of 7.2 days of work each year, while those who reported very little stress only missed an average of 3.6 days.

Here are some simple strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

At Work

  • Schedule brief breaks for yourself throughout the day. Your productivity and effectiveness will increase if you take even a ten-minute break every two hours and overall, you will get more accomplished.
  • At the end of each day, set your priorities for the following day. Be realistic about what you can achieve in the time you have available.
  • Only respond to email once or twice a day. Then, shut off your email program to avoid being distracted as messages come in.
  • Make a distinction between work and the rest of your life. Protect your private time by turning off electronic communications.   Don’t be available 24/7.
  • Address concerns about deadlines and deliverables early. As soon as you see that a deadline is unrealistic, communicate your concern to your employer – don’t wait until the deadline passes.
  • Take all of your allotted vacation time. Taking vacation allows you to come back to work refreshed and more productive.

At Home

  • Create a buffer between work and home. After work, take a brief walk, do a crossword puzzle, or listen to some music before beginning the evening’s routine.
  • Decide what chores can be shared or let go. Determine which household chores are critical and which can be done by someone else.  Let the rest go.
  • Exercise. Even if it’s only for 15 minutes at a time, you’ll feel more energized and refreshed.
  • Create and implement a household budget. Start by setting aside some money from each pay cheque for the future.
  • Make healthy food choices. Healthy eating will give you and your family more energy.
  • Pursue a hobby. Either with friends or family or for some quality time on your own.

In Your Community

  • Make choices. Social, community and volunteer obligations pull us in many directions. Choose the ones that are most fulfilling and learn to say ‘no’ to the rest.
  • Manage expectations. Be clear at the outset about how much time or support you can contribute to community organizations or your children’s school events.

Sources: CMHA Toronto, STRIDE, Better Balance Better Business Report