Mental Health at Work

How can work affect mental health?

A 40-hour working week adds up to almost a quarter of your life every seven days. It takes up a lot of your energy, concentration, motivation and time. Given that around one in four people will have a mental health issue in their lifetime, it’s probably more common in your workplace than you think.

This guide takes a look at the topic of mental health at work, including:

• The positive and negative effects of work on mental health
• The signs that work is damaging your mental health
• How to discuss mental health issues with your employer
• How to look after your mental health at work

Although workplaces can cause increases in stress and other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, it’s important to note that employment can also have a positive impact on our wellbeing.

Work gives us a valuable purpose in life, motivating us to get up in the morning and create or achieve something. As social animals, humans also require that daily interaction with the outside world. Work generally allows us to engage socially every day (unless we are working from home), something which is especially important to people who live alone or are otherwise isolated or lonely. The financial benefits of working life also have positive effects on our wellbeing. Money isn’t everything, but having a regular income can reduce financial stress and allow us to engage in activities we enjoy and buy things that we want, depending on how much we earn.

What causes poor mental health at work?

The workplace does bring important benefits to our wellbeing, but the balance can all too easily slide and lead to negative outcomes. Work can be a common causes of depression or severe increases in your stress levels.

The causes of mental health problems at work can be varied. It could be that you’ve been working extra-long hours or that your workload has increased significantly. You might be running to a tight deadline for a major project, or don’t have the support you think you need to do your job to best of your ability.

Your relationships with colleagues are important too. If you’re being harassed or bullied, or the working relationship with your boss has declined, that can be the source of a decline in your enjoyment of the role and can lead to increases in your levels of stress and anxiety.

Crucially, if these issues are left to continue in the medium or long term, it often leads to deeper mental health conditions such as depression. 

Signs you're struggling with mental health at work

How to tell if your job is affecting your mental health

When at work, it’s important that you try to monitor your attitudes, performance and general mood. There are key indicators that might point towards the possibility that your workplace could be the root cause of a downturn in your mental health. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) lists the following as key signs of work-related stress:

• You are unable to cope with the demands of your jobs
• You are unable to control the way you do your work
• You don't receive enough information and support at work
• You are having trouble with relationships at work, or are being bullied
• You don't fully understand your role and responsibilities
• You are not engaged when your workplace is undergoing change

It’s also worth familiarising yourself with the common signs and symptoms of relevant mental health conditions:

Stress: Unable to switch off or relax, irritability, impatience and sleep disturbances.

Anxiety: Persistent sense of worry or dread, paranoia, tension, headaches and nausea.

Depression: Intense feelings of sadness, tearfulness, fatigue and low energy levels

How to tell your boss you're struggling

Less than three in ten employees are willing to openly speak about their mental health with their employer, but reaching out for support and lightening your psychological load is one of the most effective ways of coping with the issues you’re facing.

You could start by reaching out to a colleague or close friend first; you’ll probably be surprised by how understanding and supportive they are. When, and if, you feel ready to talk about your mental health with your boss, or other relevant figure in your workplace, the following tips can help:

Email ahead

Sometimes it can be difficult to find the right words in person. Writing things down can help to collect your thoughts. It might be worth emailing ahead first, giving you a foundation to start from when you do speak face-to-face.

Only disclose how much you feel comfortable with

Disclosing a mental health issue is a very personal topic, so it’s normal to feel uncomfortable bringing it up. It’s entirely your decision on how much you initially share. If you have a diagnosis from your GP, that might be a useful piece of information to share, but otherwise just touch on how you’re feeling and how it is affecting your work.

Go to the right person

Think carefully about the best person to go to. It could be your boss, or it could be someone in your HR team, who will be trained to support people experiencing mental health issues and have clear idea of what support is available to you. 

Know your rights

The stigma and threat of discrimination is real, so it’s natural to be reticent about bringing up the topic of mental health in the workplace. Thankfully, the law is on your side and today, discrimination of an employee on basis of mental health is unlawful. Times are changing and you can expect a much more supportive, understanding workplace than in decades gone by.

By speaking up, you are helping yourself and others

If you do choose to speak out, your decision is positively impacting the lives of thousands of people across the UK. Each time someone accepts they aren’t OK, they encourage others to do the same and nudge employers, governments and our wider society towards change.

How to be mentally healthy at work

If work is getting too much for you, there’s lots more you can do alongside speaking to your employer, to make your working life more manageable.

Know the warning signs

There are many symptoms of stress at work, but a key sign that it’s getting too much is when you are unable to manage your workload or unwind after a long day. Are you regularly taking your work home with you? Are you fretting about an upcoming deadline or presentation? These are common triggers for work-related stress, so it’s important to be aware of when they might be kicking in.

Stay organised

Plan out your week or day ahead and create a checklist of things that need to be completed in priority order. Give yourself enough time to complete each task and schedule regular breaks to avoid burnout. Reward yourself for completing tasks, even if it’s as simple as crossing it off your checklist.

Try some stress-busting techniques

Breathing exercises can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety and remain clam. Take a long, deep breath while counting for 5-8 seconds, then hold it for 5-8 seconds. Repeat several times to relieve anxious/stressed feelings. This can help to re-centre you during a busy work day.

Exercise as much as you can

Exercise is a brilliant way to help to relieve stress, so incorporating it into your daily routine, 2–3 times a week, can be a quick way of improving your mental health at work. Try running, going to the gym or something like yoga. It takes you away from the daily grind and allows you to focus solely on your health and wellbeing. Even going for a brisk walk during your lunch hour, if you’re able to, can work wonders for your mental health, motivation and wellbeing.

Eat healthily

The importance of a healthy diet on our  physical and mental health can’t be underestimated. Try to avoid comfort eating and instead choose food that increases your energy and gives you sustainable nutrients to get you through the day.

Seek professional help

If things are getting too much and you aren’t getting the support you need at work, know that professional help is available. You can speak to your GP, call a support line or contact Priory directly for world-class private mental healthcare.

There are many effective treatments for stress, anxiety and depression that will enable you to learn ways of coping with mental health issues and allow you to manage your working life in the long-term. Remember, seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness. By seeking help, you are displaying strength, and taking the vital first step to turning your life around.

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