It's not just you: Mental health in the workplace
Working full-time can be tiring enough as it is. When you have a mental health issue to deal with as well, things can really feel start to feel like they’re weighing down on you.
Here we discuss depression and anxiety in the workplace: how to talk about your mental health with your employer and colleagues, and what to do if you face discrimination as a result of it.
It’s not just you
Recent figures published by the Mental Health Foundation agree:
- one adult in six has suffered from a mental health issue
- 4-10% of people in England will experience depression in their lifetime
- 7.8% of people suffer from a mixture of anxiety and depression
It’s a sad fact that discussing mental health can often feel like a taboo – especially at work. You might be concerned about being seen as less efficient, facing discrimination or even losing your job. If you’re finding it hard to focus on your work, speak up and let people with the power to lift the load help you.
Know your rights
The Employment Rights Act (1996) states that your employer has to work with you to try to overcome health problems. And don’t forget that it’s in your boss's own interests to accommodate you. Anxiety and depression, the most common mental health issues, have been estimated to cause a fifth of the days lost to sickness in Britain.
It can be hard talking about such an emotional and personal subject at work, but focusing on practicalities and logistics can take the charge out of it. Try to suggest some concrete things that might help you cope. For example, switching to flexible or part-time hours for a while might give you some much-needed space to breathe. Would the option to work from home some days take the pressure off? Coming into the conversation prepared with potential solutions could make the conversation seem less daunting.
If you’re nervous about talking to your manager, or if things don’t go well when you do, it’s worth having a chat to your organisation’s HR or occupational health department – but your line manager should be your first port of call.
Wellbeing tips
Mind's research shows that regular exercise, learning new skills, mindfulness techniques and a healthy work-life balance can all contribute to good mental health.
Socialising with colleagues and lending a hand to other people are also proven mood-lifters. A strong, happy team benefits everyone – if one person is struggling from time to time, the others can step in and help.
Busting the stigma about Mental health
The more we talk about mental health, the more stigmas get broken down, so don’t suffer in silence. Work’s important, but it’s not as important as your health and quality of life. When it comes to mental health, we can all play a part in making the workplace a better place to be.