Mental Health in the Workplace

Many of today's workers say they are stressed, anxious and burned out, finding it hard to balance their work and personal lives. Technologic improvements continuously step up production demands and expectations, and the lack of privacy and downtime afforded by "cubicle farm" environments might be adding to workers' mental health woes.

The results can be very costly to business. About 200 million workdays are lost in the U.S. annually because of mental health-related issues, according to a joint report from the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization. Depression alone is estimated to cost U.S. business up to $53 billion per year in lost workdays and productivity. Grief packs an even bigger wallop, costing business about $75 billion per year.

Several factors ought to be taken into consideration when assessing the status and effectiveness of employer mental health policies and initiatives. In spite of the plethora of information available about the nature and treatability of mental illness, stigma is still an issue that prevents many people from seeking help for mental or emotional difficulties. A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan Depression Center suggests that most workers are fearful that seeking professional help to deal with emotional difficulties or mental health issues will negatively affect their careers. Other barriers to mental health treatment include a lack of education and understanding about mental illness and treatment options. Providing mental health benefits doesn't do any good if employees don't seek assistance.