Mental Health Issues in the Work Force and How It Affects You


mental healthAlthough working is great, at times it can lead to a lot of stress and even mental health issues. Mental illness in the workplace causes people to work sluggishly and be unmotivated, which is unproductive. Depression is one of if not the leading cause of workplace absenteeism in the U.S., as well as disability worldwide. A new study by Lancet Psychiatry suggest that up to 14 percent of mental health issues could be prevented by reducing job strain at work. On average those with mental health issues miss an average of 8.7 days of work each year. So how do you know when your job is getting too strenuous? Today, we will cover the symptoms of a work overload and how it can affect your job performance.

Mental Health Problems in the Work Force Pretty Common

About 10.8% of the full time workers in the nation have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives. When people ignore any mental damage or depression, they usually withhold themselves, trudge through the day, and probably aren’t enthusiastic during work. Being depressed can impact your productivity, and that can cause problems at work. A survey polling 1,000 working adults showed 26% of them have taken a day off due to mental health problems. Have you been unmotivated, tired, angry, or even catch yourself sulking through most of your workday? If so, you might want to look in to taking time off.

Talking to Your Boss About Mental Health

If you are having mental health issues, you might want to talk to your boss about it. Support from management can be the key to keeping productivity high. Being open with your boss is important. Requesting time off without a reason or explanation might cause a boss to be reluctant on allowing that day off. But if you were able to speak with them directly, at the right time, it can help them understand your situation. You don’t need a lengthy explanation, and it is important to know you are protected by the law if your boss is not cooperative or understanding. It is preferable to go to your HR in most situations, due to implicit bias around mental health. Remember it is always best to talk about how it is affecting your health because it is.


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