People are talking about mental health more now than ever before. Our personal and professional lives are what affect our mental health, so it’s vital to have a healthy work-life balance.
That’s why employees are taking a clearer and stronger stance to ensure employers consider their mental health. Read on to learn more about mental health at work, including statistics and how to support and talk about it.
Mental Health at Work Statistics
From depression and anxiety to substance use disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, mental health conditions affect the workforce .
To take a stand and support mental health in the workplace, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued the “WHO Guidelines on Mental Health at Work” to offer evidence-based interventions for employers to use in 2022. According to WHO, anxiety and depression cost the world economy $1 trillion U.S. dollars annually primarily due to lost productivity. The organization also reports that of working-age adults, around 15% will deal with a mental disorder at some point in time.
In Mexico, specifically, even before COVID, workers suffer from fatigue-related work stress and burnout. Mexico ranks as having one of the highest workforces dealing with the condition.
These statistics are merely a starting point as to the significant impact mental health at work has on our health and livelihoods, making it necessary to speak up and support it without hesitation.
How to Talk About Mental Health at Work in Tijuana
For both employees and employers, being open and talking about mental health is one of the best ways to support teams at work.
For Employees
If you need to talk to your employer about your mental health, developing a plan for the discussion can be helpful. Here are some steps to consider:
- Let your manager know you’d like to set some time aside to meet about an important matter.
- During the meeting, share with your manager how your mental health affects your job or how your job affects your mental health. For example, having major depression might mean you need to take some time to yourself during the day away from coworkers. A hostile work environment might increase your anxiety level related to your panic disorder.
- Offer insights into how taking care of your mental health has improved your work or life. For example, you’ve joined a Toast Master class to support reducing your anxiety when giving presentations, or you’ve learned how to remain calm in stressful situations thanks to working with a therapist.
- Offer concrete examples of what support might look like for you at work. For example, maybe you would benefit from having extra time to work on presentations or having an hour off during the week for a telehealth session.
- Ask if your manager has any questions or if you can offer additional information about your condition and mental health.
For Employers
It’s vital to encourage your employees to discuss their mental health challenges and concerns with you. When they do, it’s critical to support them with accommodations when possible. These approaches increase an employee’s sense of psychological safety and can help prevent a loss in productivity for the company and your employees. It can also increase a sense of belonging, reduce work-related burnout, and improve employee retention and morale.
How To Support Mental Health at Work in Tijuana
In addition to talking about it, there are other ways employees and employers can support mental health at work.
As an Employee
As an employee, seeking out employers who support work-life balance to reduce stress is a great place to start. You can encourage employers to offer adequate mental health benefits, including easy access to telehealth sessions or having an on-site mental health professional. Other benefits supporting mental health and well-being include good medical benefits, flexible schedules, the option to work remotely as needed, and adequate paid time off. Speak up and seek out these benefits.
Another great step you can take to support mental health at work is to encourage your coworkers to speak up and advocate for themselves when they’re struggling.
As an Employer
For employers, it’s important to support employees by offering mental health benefits like those noted above. Research shows the trend for mental health support at work is extending to include the family members of employees. The 2023 Mental Health Trends Forecast by Lyra showed 70% of benefits leaders agree that mental health support for entire families has become an increased priority in the past year. The same report indicates those surveyed also agree offering personalized mental health services for caregivers, parents, teens, and children is beneficial. The Lyra report surveyed over 200 benefits leaders in the United States, and included those with a global workforce and perspective.
Employers also need to ensure their managers have the skills and tools necessary to do their jobs well and support their teams. According to the report, benefits leaders cite “work-related managerial stress” as a top factor adversely affecting their workforce’s mental health, with only COVID coming in ahead. Adequate training should be provided to support managers in all areas of their jobs, including supporting their teams’ mental health needs.
Apply with a Company that Supports and Promotes Mental Well-being!
Now that you know how to talk about and support mental health at work, do you know of a company that promotes the mental well-being of its workforce?
Here at Seguros Confie, we take pride in promoting the overall well-being of our employees, including mental health, to support them in fulfilling their personal and work lives. Apply today to find out how we can put our employees’ well-being first!