Mental health has become huge issues in the work today

Are you managing mental health in the work place?

Mental health has become huge issues in the work today:

Check yourself whether you have work related distress?

Emotional

Are you struggling with irritable, sensitive to criticism, demonstrate an uncharacteristic loss of confidence or seem to lose their sense of humor.

Yes/NO

Cognitive

Are you making more mistakes than usual, have problems making decisions, or not be able to concentrate? Any sudden and unexplained drop in performance at work.

Yes/No

Behavioral

Are you arriving late, not taking lunch breaks, taking unofficial time off, not joining in office banter, or not hitting deadlines, becoming more introvert or extroverted, generally acting out of character

Yes/No

Physical

Have you exhibiting physical symptoms such as a constant cold, being tired at work, looking like haven’t made an effort with your appearance, or rapid weight loss or gain.

Yes/No

Business

At a business level, look out for increased absence or staff turnover. Have you noticed employees working longer hours or a general drop in motivation or productivity levels?

Yes/No

Spotting yes more than 3 shows you have “work related distress/ Occupational distress”.

Most of the company will not develop a Mental Health Policy, because they give concern for the production and not for the concern of employees. But there is little institution like MNM Jain College, Thoraipakkam, Chennai. Caterpiller, Tiruvallur etc are few exceptions.

So what can we do in working practices?

• We need to take regular breaks away from the desks and get out of the office to reduce stress.
• Can try power-down hour, where everyone steps away from their email or whats app group message.
• Review yoobs descriptions to make sure these set out clear and realistic expectations. If not, this might be contributing to or even causing mental distress.
• Think about how success is measured and people are rewarded.
• Either we need to adjust or adapt or escape. We have not born for any particular employer; the world is so large and has more space for us to leave. So don’t lose hope

Don’t:

• Never try for work place violence and it can strike anywhere. Kindly avoid the situation/move out from that situation/person

For companies/Industries/Institution:

• Develop mental health policy.
• Create peer-to-peer support networks to help staff talk through problems when they arise.
• Can Create Employee Assistance Program in place to provide additional support for staff.
• Consider holding regular informal ‘drop-in’ sessions with someone from HR, or Psychologist to encourage people to talk through any issues they may be experiencing
• Or at least have “Tea and talk” with an employee, which makes some good emotional changes.

Or relax and follow:

• Trust nobody.
• What happens in office, remain in office. Never take office gossips to home and vice versa.
• Enter office on time, leave on time. Your desktop is not helping improvement in your health.
• Never make GF/BF and/or brother/sister in office. It will always backfire.
• Expect nothing. If somebody helps, feel thankful. If not, you will learn to know things on your own.
• Never rush for position. If you get promoted, congrats. If not, it doesn't matter. You will always be remembered for your knowledge and politeness, not for your designation.
• Never run behind office stuff. You have better things to do in life.
• Avoid taking everything on your ego. Your salary matters. You are being paid. Use your assets to get happiness.
• It doesn't matter how people treat you. Be humble. You are not everyone's cup of tea.
• In the end nothing matters except family, friends, home, and Inner peace