Mental health is an integral part of one’s overall well-being. Human Beings are made of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies, and our mental bodies. In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, the mental body is subject to an overwhelming amount of challenges, demands, expectations, distractions and disruptions. As a species, we are required to increase how we care for our mental health in order to function at our best and honour our potential.
Mental health issues have become a prevalent concern – not only for individuals but also for organisations and the society as a whole.
The more light we shed on the degrading impact of mental health challenges on society and organisations, the more we can highlight the need for awareness, support, and conscious change:
The Stigma surrounding mental health
One of the primary reasons why mental health is degrading for society and organisations is the stigma associated with it. There is a tendency for society to overlook mental health issues, and label it as a weakness or character flaw. This stigma discourages individuals from seeking the help they need. Sadly, this leads to untreated mental issues that only worsen over time.
In organisations, this stigma can result in employees being hesitant to disclose their mental struggles because they fear discrimination, judgement, and career setbacks.
Reduced productivity and performance
Mental health issues have a significant impact on one’s ability to function optimally in different areas of life, including work. According to the Global Wellness Institute – Future of Wellness at work, 62% of individuals state that feeling mentally unwell affects their ability to get their job done.
Employees who are struggling with mental health problems experience decreased productivity, absenteeism, and difficulty focusing on tasks. This results in a decline in performance which hampers the overall productivity and success of the organisation.
Negative Workplace Culture
A workplace culture that neglects mental health will contribute to a degrading environment. When organisations neglect their employee’s well-being, a toxic atmosphere is created and this leads to stress, burnout, and more mental health issues.
A negative culture can result in high turnover rates, decreased employee morale, and reduced job satisfaction that impacts the organisation’s reputation and success.
Economic Burden
The degrading impact of mental health extends beyond the individual and the workplace – it affects society as a whole. Mental health issues creates significant economic burdens on societies through healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and increased social welfare expenditures.
According to The Lancet Global Health – Mental Health Matters, in total, poor mental health was estimated to cost the world economy approximately $2,5 trillion per year in poor health and reduced productivity in 2010, a cost projected to rise to $6 trillion by 2030
Untreated mental health issues can result in an increase in criminal activities, substance abuse, and homelessness and exacerbate the societal impact.
Breaking the Cycle by Promoting Mental Health Support
To address the degrading impact of mental health on both society and organisations, it is crucial to break the cycle of stigma and promote mental health support.
Here are some of the steps that can be taken to show our support for mental health:
– Increase awareness and educate individuals and organisations about mental health, its prevalence, as well as the importance of seeking help.
– Foster a supportive workplace by encouraging organisations to prioritise employee well-being, create policies that champion mental health initiatives, and provide tools and resources to support employees educate, empower and enable themselves to take care of their mental health.
– Destigmatising mental health by promoting open conversations, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a conscious culture where there is authenticity, empathy and understanding.
– Accessible mental health support to all employees at every level of the organisation.
– Providing employees with practices that promote mental health such as mindfulness that assists one become aware of the thoughts that arise, and respond to them consciously instead of reacting impulsively.
– Encourage access to outside spaces and nature. According to the UK Mental Health Foundation, nature promotes positive emotions. It generates calmness, joy, and creativity. Being connected to nature and to oneself during meditation lowers depression and anxiety.
In conclusion, the degrading impact of mental health issues on society and organisations cannot be ignored any longer. It is important that we collectively address the stigma of mental health, create supportive environments, promote conscious cultures, and prioritise mental well-being.
By doing the work as Conscious Leaders, we can foster healthier individuals, stronger organisations, and a more collaborative and compassionate society.
It is important to remember that mental health MATTERS and it is our responsibility as Conscious Leaders to contribute to this positive change.