E. Nicole Cogdell-Quick
Mental health has everything to do with how we as individuals think, feel and behave. The more positive we think, the more balanced a lifestyle we maintain and the better we feel and function overall.
However, for many people, mental health automatically brings to mind mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar and schizophrenia.
Mental health and wellness are just as real as our physical health and can impact our physical well-being. As most people spend the majority of their waking hours at work, it is important to cultivate mental health in the workplace.
Being unhappy at work is common. Feeling unsupported by a supervisor or boss, inflexible work hours, unrealistic expectations, lack of resources to complete job duties and low pay all contribute to dissatisfaction. When employees feel unsupported, unheard and unappreciated, it has a negative impact on mental health.
Unhealthy work environments often have low productivity, low motivation and increased absenteeism. Stress from work can also impact family life and even increase risks for chronic illnesses and heart attacks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages employers to implement clear and open communication within the company by:
• Clearly communicating expectations.
