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For many of us, work is a major part of our lives. It is where we spend most of our time, where we get our income and often where we make friends. Having a fulfilling job can be good for your mental health and general wellbeing. Working can have many benefits, however if you have a negative work environment this can lead to physical or mental health issues.
Why do people not feel comfortable talking about their mental health at work?
Among the top reasons people give for not telling their colleagues about their mental health problems is the fear of discrimination and feeling of shame. The decision to disclose distress at work is not one people take lightly. The workplace must become an environment where people feel safe to be themselves.
Some other work place risks which can cause bad mental health are work overload, The overload of work can hurt mental health other work place risks which can cause bad mental health are work overload, inadequate support or personal risks e.g. first responders such as the police, fire or ambulance services. The risk may be increased in situations where there is a lack of team cohesion or social support. Bullying and psychological harassment are commonly reported as causes of work-related stress by workers and present risks to the health of workers. This can have a huge impact on the employer as well as the employee.
If you create workplace cultures where people can be themselves, it is easier for people to speak about mental health concerns without fear and easier for them to reach out for help when they need it.
What can we do to help?
“Good mental health at work and good management go hand in hand and there is strong evidence that workplaces with high levels of mental wellbeing are more productive”. says Mental Health Foundation. “Addressing wellbeing at work increases productivity by as much as 12%.”
We can all take steps to improve our mental health and build our resilience and our ability to cope. It sometimes isn’t easy to be positive and help yourself if you are feeling down, depressed or anxious, however here is some advice to help improve your mental health at work:
- Talk about your feelings – It can be hard to talk about your feelings at work but if you have a colleague or manager your feel you can talk to it can instantly put your worries into perspective and relieve some pressure.
- Healthy balanced lifestyle – What we eat and drink can affect how we feel. If we are active it can boost our self-esteem and self-confidence. All of these aspects can therefore make up feel more positive when tackling tasks at work.
- Do something you are good at – Spend your free time doing the things you love. Concentrating on your favorite hobby can make you forget your worries and relax.
- Ask for help – Everyone gets tired and overwhelmed now and then. Things may not go to plan and make a bad day even worse. Speak to your manager or your local health service.
Talking about your mental health to your colleagues can be tough. Start a conversation today to help yourself or a colleague.
Cavendish Homecare
We understand the bravery it takes to seek help for a Mental Health issue, whether it be from stress, drug or alcohol-related problems, to more complex Mental Health issues such as; Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia. Our team is specialists in creating highly personalised home care plans that work for individuals. So whether you’re looking for basic support after returning from the hospital or have more complex nursing requirements, we know how to help.
To speak to a member of our homecare team give us a call on 0203 008 5210 or drop us an email at info@cavendishhomecare.com.