Burnout and mental health issues at work

Burnout and mental health issues at work

According to the World Health Organization, burnout forms from chronic workplace stress. And ¾ employees in a wider study said they have at least one symptom of a mental health condition and it’s alarmingly.

Causes of mental health issues and burnout at work

Employees’ mental health at work most often is affected negatively by pressure (too many priorities), workload and lack of support. Also factors like low salary, long working hours and lack of development are highlighted by employees as important workplace stressors.

In a survey 61% respondents said they were affected at work by their mental health. Stressors affect our life on a regular basis, but serious mental health issues decrease ability to do physical tasks by 20%. Due to mental health problems people also leave their jobs. 

Mental health issues can be classified as stress, anxiety, bi-polar disorder and depression.

High workload, lack of appreciation, fairness, communication and social support cause work burnout. When people feel burnout, it makes people feel energy depletion or exhaustion, increases mental distance from his or her job and also burnout may reduce professional efficacy, and create lack of interest in work, according to WHO. 

And people who feel burned out are 2,6x more likely to actively look for new job opportunities.

Burnout and mental health issues don’t go away on its own. The odd feelings also may be carried to home too. Employees’ mental health and burnout have come on the managers table and wellbeing strategies are included in organizational culture.

Mental health strengthening on organizational level

More and more employers and HR departments pay attention and invest in employees’ wellbeing and mental health at work by various supporting steps. Of course, many organizations can meet firstly with lack of knowledge or skills for dealing with mental health at work. Employees at any age and in any role may meet mental health issues and burnout.

85% of HR  and C-level leaders said that mental health is not just about mental illness but is the thing every worker experiences. Also employees notice and participate in mental health strengthening activities, 54% surveyed employees said that mental health was prioritized at their organization and 66% think their employers care about their mental health. 

Deloittes research reveals that awareness raising, training and diagnostics provide higher return on investment (ROI). Time and money invested in employees’ mental health and well-being don’t let their productivity, motivation and engagement decrease.

Another important step organizations do in mental health strengthening is diversity, equity and inclusion improving among workers and in the work environment.

Read more: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations

Summary

Burnout and mental health issues reflect in mental, emotional and physical light. Studies have found the correlation between mental stress on job stress and burnout. Organizations should take thoughtful steps to prevent burnout and mental health issues at the workplace by making wellbeing as part of culture, managers educating and employee experience designing.

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