Despite significant advances in dealing with mental health challenges, the onus remains with everyone to understand what mental health is and what are the symptoms that one needs to look out for. It is unfortunate that misunderstanding and ignorance remain formidable barriers to the effective treatment of mental health disorders.
A lack of physical symptoms accompanying mental health problems, combined with individuals’ lack of the appropriate terminology to best describe their psychological symptoms, contribute to the complexity of mental illness in the South African context. Unfortunately we live in a society where we are ill prepared for dealing with the misfortunes that we sometimes experience in our day-to-day lives, and therefore it is important to be mindful of self-care.
Having a stable job is great, but the working environment has proven to be one of the biggest contributors to mental health symptoms. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic companies have opted to continue and introduce new ways of working that are not necessarily appropriate for everyone. The pressure to make sound financial decisions while trying to keep a stable income is at times so overwhelming that it leads to mental health exhaustion.
Workplace stress can contribute to a variety of physical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and poor mental health. This can eventually lead to burn-out, which severely limits employees’ ability to contribute meaningfully to both their personal and professional lives. It is estimated that poor mental health causes more than half of work-related disabilities and that mental illness cause up to 40% of workplace absence.
It appears that encouraging self-care and initiatives that drive appreciation is imperative for a healthy work environment. Music, dance and drama therapy, which encourages self-expression and appreciation for others, is a low-cost solution that has also proven to be effective in assisting people with mental disorders. It also helps those who are oblivious to their condition. This type of therapy promotes self-healing, it helps those who are unaware of their condition, and it fosters a sense of belonging, which is an effective method of suicide prevention.
Employee mental health and working in an ethically supportive environment are inextricably linked. In a supportive ethical culture, concerns can be easily raised, authority questioned, and decisions challenged without fear of repercussions. It is reflected in how psychologically safe people feel, which is an important factor in employees’ well-being. Well-being will not improve if employees are under stress from targets, facing job uncertainty and working in a hostile, bullying environment, or are forced to compromise on their own organisation’s ethical values.
A healthy working environment and management go hand in hand, and there is compelling evidence that workplaces with high levels of mental well-being are more productive. It’s important that managers at all levels are trained in supporting those they work with. According to research, managers who are trained to have effective and regular confidential meetings with employees and are sensitive to the challenges they may be facing both at work and in their personal lives can help reduce work-related sick leave.
Ethical management fosters a psychologically secure work environment in which employees can voice their concerns affectively.
Author
Nicolette Liberty, SAICA ED & The Hope Factory HR Officer
