Impact Mental Health has on Employee Wellbeing

by Spectrum Health

In years past, there had been a heavy stigma around mental health. Even discussing such issues were viewed as being taboo in nature. However, in recent years there has been a push for increased discussion on topics of mental health. In this article, we discuss one such topic, the impact that mental health has on employee wellbeing in the workplace.

Types of Mental Health Issues

In order to understand mental health in the workplace, you have to first understand the complexity of it. Mental health doesn’t centre around one particular issue. It includes a broad range of problems, such as:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• Eating Disorders
• Schizophrenia

In the workplace, the three most common difficulties faced by employees are stress, anxiety and depression. In fact…’ 1 in 6 employees experience stress, anxiety or depression at any given time, with 40% reporting being regularly stressed’. Despite the increased conversations about mental health in Ireland, there continues to be a strong stigma against talking about it in the workplace.

Mental Health in the Workplace & Employee Wellbeing

How could there continue to be such a strong stigma around mental health discussion at work? Well, there are two major reasons:

1. Employees don’t want to be the subject of stigma amongst their co-workers.
2. Employees are afraid they will face judgement and not be supported if they were to speak out about their problems.

Discussing mental health issues at work can result in several benefits for your organisation and employee wellbeing. However, on the other hand, shunning the idea of conversation around mental health can be detrimental to the performance of your employees and ultimately, your company.

Benefits of Open Discussion-

• Retains current employees and draws in new talent
• Increases Productivity
• Increases performance
• Increases employee engagement

Drawbacks of No Open Discussion:

• High healthcare costs to organisations
• Increases absenteeism
• Decreases productivity
• Increases turnover

Not providing a company culture where employees feel safe and comfortable opening up about stress or other issues can seriously affect employee wellbeing. High performing employees are key in any organisation. And currently, 78% of Irish employees believe there is a stigma around mental health issues in the workplace. This high percentage means that over three quarters of the Irish working force is apprehensive about their mental health and more likely to keep it to themselves, which will eventually wear them out.

It’s time to create a work culture that is not only open to discuss mental health problems, but one that is ready to take the necessary steps to improve the current health status of its employees. These acts would greatly improve the wellbeing and performance of your staff in both their working and home lives.