Workplace Mental Health - all you need to know (for now) | Tom Oxley | TEDxNorwichED

Summary

This script addresses the pervasive issue of stress, anxiety, and depression in the workplace, which often go unacknowledged until they become critical. It highlights the need for open conversations about mental health, emphasizing that employees desire to work but struggle with the lack of support and communication. The speaker calls for leaders to initiate these discussions, train managers to recognize signs and symptoms, and create a supportive environment. The script also points out the high costs of presenteeism and the benefits of proactive measures, such as flexible working arrangements, over reactive ones like medical leave. It concludes with a call to action for all employees to engage in mental health dialogues and for organizations to foster a culture that values well-being.

Takeaways

• 📈 Many people are experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression due to work demands and poor work-life balance.
• 🤝 The workplace culture often lacks open communication about mental health, leading to employees feeling isolated and unsupported.
• 🏆 Mental health issues are common and can lead to significant absences from work, costing more than physical injuries.
• 📉 Poor mental health at work can affect productivity, concentration, and interpersonal relationships, impacting both the employee and the organization.
• 🚫 Stigma and fear of being stigmatized prevent many employees from discussing their mental health issues with their managers.
• 🏠 The concept of 'presenteeism', where employees go to work despite not being well, is costly and counterproductive.
• 💼 Managers play a crucial role in addressing mental health by fostering open dialogue and providing support, but many lack the training to do so effectively.
• 📚 Training for managers to recognize signs of mental health issues and to engage in supportive conversations is essential.
• 🏥 The healthcare system is often not the first place for mental health discussions at work; the workplace should be more proactive.
• 🌟 Positive leadership and a supportive workplace culture can prevent disengagement and high costs associated with mental health issues.
• 🔄 It's important for organizations to create an environment where employees feel they can speak openly about mental health without fear of repercussions.

Q & A

What are some common signs of stress mentioned in the script?

Common signs of stress mentioned include working on emails at home, sleeping in the same room as work devices, working evenings and weekends, waking up at night thinking about work, and having breakfast on the toilet.

What percentage of absences from work are attributed to stress, anxiety, and depression according to the script?

Stress, anxiety, and depression are responsible for 30% more absences from work than anything else, including musculoskeletal and physical industry injuries.

Why do people with poor mental health often continue to go to work despite their condition?

People with poor mental health often continue to go to work because they want to be at work, but they struggle to do so. They may have difficulty concentrating, communicating, and juggling tasks, and they may not know how to have a conversation about their condition with their manager or fear stigmatization.

What is the term used for going to work while feeling unwell, and what is its cost compared to absenteeism?

The term used is 'presenteeism', and it costs the workplace 1.8 times more than absenteeism.

What is the first place people often turn to when experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression at work, and why is this not ideal?

People often turn to their doctors first, but this is not ideal because it leads to being signed off for sickness, which can result in disengagement from work and is not the first place for such conversations to occur.

What are some of the consequences of not addressing mental health issues in the workplace as described in the script?

Consequences include increased absences, disengagement from work, potential legal involvement, and high costs for the organization.

What is the role of leadership in addressing mental health in the workplace according to the script?

Leadership should initiate conversations about mental health, use positive language, and ensure that these discussions are heard throughout the organization. They should also train managers to spot signs and symptoms and know how to have supportive conversations.

What is the significance of the phrase 'be the manager you'd like to have' in the context of the script?

The phrase 'be the manager you'd like to have' suggests that managers should consider how they would want to be treated if they were experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression, and act accordingly.

What are some of the future workplace strategies mentioned in the script for improving mental health?

Future strategies mentioned include mindfulness meditation, virtual reality for training managers, reporting on workplace illness, and psychotherapy through mobile phones.

What is the main takeaway from the script regarding how workplaces should handle mental health?

The main takeaway is that workplaces should create a safe environment where employees can openly discuss mental health without fear of stigmatization, and leaders should be committed to listening and making necessary adjustments.