The work environment can set the scene for people to better understand their mental health and dismantle the stigma that prevents individuals from reaching for help when it is needed most.
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, commemorated on Thursday, 10 October 2024, is ‘It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace’.
“Our mental health determines our self-esteem, how we think, connect with others, deal with stress, and our performance in many other daily activities,” says Dr Lerato Motshudi, medical manager at Netcare Akeso.
“The same person will function and respond to stressful situations very differently depending on whether they are optimally well, both emotionally and physically, or if they are feeling overwhelmed or straining under the burden of depression, anxiety, or substance use, to name just a few examples.
“It is easy to want to believe that mental illness could never happen to us, our loved ones, or our valued colleagues, but the truth is it can happen to anyone, and an estimated one in five people has suicidal thoughts in their lifetime. Many more people silently struggle with other mental health issues that hold them back from fulfilling their true potential in all spheres of life,” she says.
“Also, a mental health crisis such as a panic attack can suddenly occur in someone who has been fully functional, yet without the necessary support, sometimes this may ultimately impair their ability to continue to cope in future.
“Even among people who are psychologically healthy, taking time to look after your emotional and mental health has benefits for your physical health, resilience in tough situations, the quality of your relationships, and in the workplace this tends to manifest in productivity, creativity and engagement levels.
“Overall, mental health is an essential component of happiness, and employers have a vested interest in promoting awareness and addressing misperceptions about mental health.”
Megan Gonsalves, Netcare Akeso’s Crisis Line manager, says in practical terms, this means ensuring everyone knows how to recognise when they or someone in their circle may need support and how to access mental health services.
“Due to outdated ideas and stigma associated with mental health, unfortunately, sometimes people don’t feel comfortable opening up about how they are feeling when they notice they start experiencing difficulties. In such instances, the person tends to go unsupported and often only seeks professional help when their condition has worsened, and the situation feels like it has spiralled out of control,” she says.
“Mental health should never be stigmatised or be perceived to have career-limiting consequences. With greater awareness of mental health and employers doing their part to promote a culture of understanding and openness without fear of judgement, this need not be the case. This being said, discretion and respect for the privacy of the person are as important in mental health matters as they are for other medical conditions, perhaps even more so because of stigma.”
“Early recognition that we, ourselves, or someone we know, may be struggling with mental health requires some knowledge of how the wide spectrum of psychiatric conditions can affect behaviour,” Dr Motshudi says.
“Early signs of illness are often nondescript, and the individual or people around them may notice that they ‘are not themselves’, sometimes in quite subtle ways.”
Six possible mental health warning signs
- Change in eating patterns – This may or may not be noticeable in weight loss or weight gain.
- Sleeping noticeably more or less than usual.
- Changes in mood – “The person may feel more irritable than usual or show aggression, sadness, or other signs that are out of character, persisting over weeks and perhaps not an expected response to life events,” says Dr Motshudi.
- Struggling to solve simple problems that usually would be manageable.
- Loss of desire to do activities previously enjoyed.
- Acting differently – “If someone suddenly becomes socially withdrawn or displays a marked departure from their usual behaviour such as making illogical decisions or taking unnecessary risks, these are changes worth noting,” she says.
“It’s very important to remember that any of these warning signs can be present in anyone without signifying the presence of mental illness. Rather, it is a combination of these signs and symptoms, their impact on a person’s functioning, and the length of time and progression that can point to the possibility of a mental health issue.
“Although only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose mental health disorders and provide suitable treatment options, the nature of the conditions such as depression may make it harder for the person to reach for the help they need,” Dr Motshudi says.
If you notice signs that you, a friend, a colleague or a loved one may not be coping, have a frank conversation about it and reach for professional support before things deteriorate. At any time of the day or night, Netcare Akeso’s 24-hour Crisis Line’s registered counsellors are available on 0861 435 787 to listen and guide you on the options available for mental health care if needed.
Take time to reflect
Netcare Akeso offers an online self-assessment tool to encourage self-awareness as part of nurturing overall wellbeing at https://www.netcare.co.za/netcare-akeso/self-assessment. “The aim of this self-assessment tool is to provide a helpful guide for reflecting on aspects of your own emotional wellbeing, and gaining insights that may be useful in further discussion with a mental health professional if needed or desired to optimise one’s mental health,” Gonsalves adds.
“In the majority of cases, the earlier potential mental health concerns are identified, the better in terms of the options, speed and effectiveness of treatment. Being self-aware, and looking out for others in our daily lives, can go a long way towards improving the mental wellness of all.”
Toolbox for the workplace: Mental health awareness
- Talk about it – “One of the best ways to break down stigma is to talk openly about mental health and mental illness. Such conversations allow incorrect information to surface, such as commonly used words that people subconsciously use to refer to people with mental illness, and this presents an opportunity for incorrect perceptions to be challenged,” says Dr Lerato Motshudi, medical manager of Netcare Akeso.
- All for one and one for all – Encourage teams to look out for their teammates in upbeat times of mental wellness, as well as at times when someone is struggling and might need a little support. Some people do not let on that they are struggling and may continue to act upbeat. No one checks in on an upbeat friend because they are mistakenly assumed to be okay.
- Make an effort to include everyone – “Isolation is the opposite of what is required for anyone to be healthy, happy and feel connected. Keep up connections with your colleagues and notice if someone is not themselves to show them that they are valued and supported, even if they are having a tough time at present.”
- Regular reminders – To ensure mental health remains top-of-mind all year round, consider regular toolbox talks and place posters on office noticeboards with resources for accessing professional mental health support confidentially.
- Foundations of mental and physical health – Making all employees aware of how to be mentally healthy will have a positive effect on mental and physical health, which allows people to thrive in all spheres of life. It is also important to focus on the culture of the wider organisation to ensure that it promotes mental wellness.
“Focusing on exercise, adequate sleep, good nutrition, good social and family connections, and mindfulness as part of a balanced lifestyle are the mainstays of a healthier mental state of being,” Dr Motshudi says.
Make time for mindfulness
“The most basic tool in mental health and wellbeing is mindfulness, which is the ability to be present in every moment,” says Dr Lerato Motshudi, medical manager at Netcare Akeso, the mental healthcare division of the Netcare Group.
“Mindfulness takes practice and intentionality and involves consciously being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and discomforts without judging whether or not they are ‘acceptable’. It is not possible to always be mindful but try to do so as often as possible when you remember to.
“Most of our mental issues derive from guilt, being overwhelmed, feeling judged, inadequate, feeling left out or unwanted, etc. We tend to compensate for these in ways that create tension in our minds and bodies, and this can manifest in destructive behaviours, addiction, and other harmful consequences.
“Practising mindfulness helps us to observe, regulate and make sense of what we are going through and why, and creates a healthy pause that allows us to choose how we respond, rather than react impulsively. Taking the time for mindfulness is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to invest in our own mental wellbeing, and it is within reach of everyone, every day. However, if being mindful creates even more anxiety, then stop and talk to a professional about that,” Dr Motshudi concludes.
Ends
Notes to editor
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