Mental health is a term that often discusses situations like anxiety and depression. However, mental health is not about the disease. It’s about fitness.
The World Health Organization has described mental health, “it has a state of welfare in which everyone realizes their abilities, can cope with normal life pressure, do productive and fruitful work, and contribute to it or its community.”
We all face less temperament, sadness, stress and anxiety from time to time, which is a part of human being. However, sometimes, there are things that affect mental fitness, which can affect the workplace. And sometimes, the work environment can affect mental health.
Increasing poor mental health at work, low production capacity and work performance, low staff and handling costs can lead to negative tensions on the business.
Therefore, it is very important that employers prefer mental health in the workplace (wherever they are – home or office), especially during these challenging times – not only because it is a better business and is equivalent to it, but also because it is their care and legal responsibility to do so.
Employer responsibilities for mental health at work space
Work Health and Safety (WHS) rules not only cover the risks of physical health and safety, but also cover the risks for psychological health. This means that employers “should eliminate or reduce the risk of psychological health and safety created by business work, or as much as they can, as they can.” [i]
Kovid -19 has increased the risks of psychological health and safety through which to work:
- Increase work requirements for some
- Increase in fatigue
- Hours of work for something
- Isolated work
- Need to adjust the rapidly changing situation quickly
- Increased emotional discomfort that causes bullying or harassment
These factors will be further enhanced at workplaces where poor workplace relationships and/or organizational administration, and job losses.
The effects of Covid 19 on mental health
The best times can be difficult to manage, but a sharp or permanent change can cause a lot of stress and anxiety, and can compromise with mental health.
Kovide -19 is an event that has led to tremendous turmoil, fluctuations and changes all over the world, and it continues, as governments and workplaces continue to determine how to better visit a path.
In terms of changes in the workplace, some businesses have to learn to do business in ‘axis’ and new ways, and thus pressure employees to adjust the new system and process. Other businesses had to try to do business as usual, but with a manpower that is working from home instead of staying on site.
Adjusting these changes, especially on the fly and in uncertain environment, has been difficult for many. In addition, some workers may face job insecurity or work for less hours, and are trying to manage financial pressures that are with both scenarios. Other workers have been working for a long time as they try to be productive and adjust the growing demands of global pandemic diseases.
Unfortunately, Covade 19 has also introduced work -related tensions that can increase the effects of stress related to workplace. This includes the safety of loved ones, social distance measures and isolation associated with it, and until no vaccine is found, even adjusting to a new way of life.
Relationships by Australia shows that Covied 19 has had a huge impact on Australian mental health, especially the effects of work, working environment and the impact of employees’ workloads. [ii]
People who rely on their workplace for social communication and stimulus are more affected. Even before pandemic disease, people with relatively good mental health and fitness have seen changes in their mental health.
According to statistics, 87 % of the respondents reported a significant change in their workplace since the beginning of the crisis, 63 % agreed that these changes affected their mental health.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health survey has a lot of research surveys on the health and well-being of the New Zealanders that have been conducted all over the country to assess the effects of Covid-19 on mental health. Preliminary results show that 31 % of people experienced loneliness or isolation in the coming weeks, while 8 % reported symptoms of depression or anxiety.[iii]
Although the workplaces have been declared mandatory to take care of the mental health of their workers and even the strategy may be available to help their workers, there is still a scandalous stain associated with mental health, which may mean that workers may be relieved and helpful to openly.
So, how can employers take care of their workers, and help them during this difficult time, if mental health is still considered one of these ‘prohibited’ topics?
‘Make’ mental health ‘normal’ at work space
Poor mental health workers may be afraid to speak because they are worried about how they can affect their job, or how they are viewed by their employer. The key to addressing these concerns is to create a culture where mental health is seen as important as physical protection, not secondary priority. It can be done:
- Discussing mental health at workplace at workplace such as safety, performance and productivity at workplace
- The formation of a culture that values healthy behaviors, such as sensible work times, respected communication, well -eating well, and being physically dynamic
- To ensure workers are explanated to mental health issues’ holiday rights
- Encouraging integrity, open talks about methods, or about issues that are causing stress at work.
When workers feel that their company appreciates mental health and if they are struggling, they will help them (contrary to the motivations to meet the standards of WHS), they are more likely to come to the notice of mental health problems.
To make a mentally healthy workplace
Mental health is an important factor in which we live our lives, including how we work. When mental health is good, people are fruitful, happy and healthy, and can withdraw from throwing life on them. But when it is poor, working on a daily basis can be difficult to find the meaning in your work and your life.
Most of how businesses are living and emerging from Kovide -19 will depend on their workforce, so it is more important to protect and strengthen their workers’ mental health and strengthening.
Read more: Discover how the psychiatric skills that save your employees during difficult times can benefit
Ask
Ask employees how they are going. It can happen through an anonymous survey, in an open meeting, or even through one -on -one conversation. Considering the questions:
- Are there any aspects of their working arrangements that make them feel difficult?
- Is there anything about their working environment affecting their mental health?
- Is there a lack of explanation about their character, responsibilities and expected consequences that cause stress or frustration?
- How do they feel about recent changes in business?
- Do they have any opinions or suggestions on ways to make things easy and low stress?
- Are they aware of a colleague who is struggling?
- Are other cavadid factors (such as loved ones, financial difficulties, etc.) causing their pressure?
Hear
Once employers ask their questions, they must Hear This will make a difference for the convenience of change. Being defensive or angry about the feedback provided by employees is contradictory, as is really turning the deaf ear towards what is really happening. It will only develop a poor mental health problem at the workplace.
Reaction
Reacting to employees’ feedback includes the first and most important sympathy to respond. It is unlikely that employees will be as fruitful as they may be before the pandemic disease, so it can help make the allowance and provide a little flexibility. Employers should also identify the factors that are actually affecting mental health at work, and consider ways to replace them wherever possible, as well as how to provide better support to the workers.
Act
Finally, employers need to take action to help their employees who are probably struggling with their mental health. It may include
Keep them in the loop in relation to changing the work environment
Mental health training and resources offers to workers and managers
People to associate with appropriate support services, tools and resources where needed
To ensure that the workers are continuing sensible hours, so they have engage in other activities as well as exercise and enough sleep.
Find ways to work that will help workers reduce their everyday work -related stress
Prepare this cooperation for individual or team requirements
Check regularly with the struggling employees
Approve the applications for leave or investigate ways to edit duties that will take pressure from the affected staff
Keep up with the workers to ensure that this strategy is working, and continue to edit things as needed.
It is a great time to raise awareness about mental health and raise awareness about workers’ measures, which is during the Mental Health Awareness Week (NZ), which continues from 21-27 September 2020, and Mental Health Week (Australia), which continues until October 10-8 October 2020.
Mentally healthy work is the one that protects its workers, promotes mental health, and provides proper support to those who need it. There is no magical pill to create a pleasant, healthy workplace. This is a process that includes consultation, process, review and amendment. In periods of rapid changes, it would be key to review strategies and amend the strategies that help workers need.
However, when mental health is appreciated by leaders and provides proper support and resources, people and business have real benefits.
[i] Safe job AustraliaMental health,
[ii] Relations AustraliaDoes the workplace of Kovide 19 have affected people’s mental health?
[iii] New Zealand’s Ministry of HealthDavid -19 Health and Welfare Survey Results Continue, Media Release, May 21, 2020
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