Mental health at work

An in-depth exploration of some of the issues surrounding mental health in the workplace

Self-reflection

Improving my mental health

Hear from others

Cover of A person's hands at a laptop on a desk article

Work and mental health are tied inextricably together. According to some theorists, work is integral to our mental health. The sense of social connection and intrinsic purpose work affords us is an important component of our wellbeing and, increasingly in the modern world, our identity.

This coin, however, has a flip side. Work at its worst can impact our mental health negatively. It can lead to feelings of disenfranchisement, burnout, or low self-worth. Workplaces can be sites of bullying or harassment.

For that reason, themes related to mental health appear regularly on the Best Work Podcast. Here, we explore the subject of mental health particularly as it pertains to work; its framing and definition, how we experience it in the workplace, and some active steps everyone can take to improve their mental health.

Understanding our mental health

As with any aspect of health, diagnosis is the first step in attending to our mental health.

Society’s understanding of and attitude towards mental health lags behind the equivalent for physical health. We are used to diagnosing symptoms which manifest in our bodies; often visibly, or if not then with distinct sensations of physical discomfort.

We find it hard to identify symptoms when they occur within our own minds. Until recently, mental health conditions often went unidentified until they manifested themselves outwardly.

Prevention is better than cure. Co-founder and Managing Director Mithi explains why he has set out to build an early detection tool for mental health “preconditions” (such as stress) that, if untreated, can lead to clinical conditions.

The two key points here are:

We can consider and prioritise our mental health in the same way as we do our physical health
Preventing mental health “preconditions” from escalating is better than curing serious conditions that have previously been ignored

Mental health at work

Here we will focus on two of the ways that work can impact us negatively at work: stress, and self-criticism.

Stress

One of the most common ways in which work can affect our mental health is through stress.

Whether this comes about due to the amount of work we’re required to do, the timeframes in which we have to do them, or our distance from decision-making processes which impact our work, stepping back and breaking the requirements down into smaller parts can help give us calm and clarity, as CEO and co-founder Issa discovered.

If stress is allowed to get out of hand, it can lead to burnout. This is a traumatic experience in its own right, but it has the side-effect of robbing us of the benefits that the positive side of work’s mental health coin holds, as Co-founder and CTO Theo found.

Self-criticism and imposter syndrome

Given the close relationship between work and identity, and the inherently competitive nature of work, it is understandable that, for many people, work exacerbates feelings of self-criticism. Learning and self-improvement are fundamental aspects of our working lives, but the whole-hearted pursuit of them implies a dissatisfaction with ourselves that, unmoderated, can be damaging.

Imposter syndrome is a particular manifestation of this broader subject. Like self-criticism more broadly, it stems from the human tendency to compare ourselves, often unfavourably, to those around us.

While imposter syndrome can apply to any walk of life, the hierarchies and competitiveness that characterise many workplaces are almost purpose-built to exacerbate doubts around our own ability, and our tendency to compare ourselves to others.

Whether on social media or in the real world, it is important to remember, as CEO Katelyn’s father observed, that the image being projected is often not the whole story.

Many people who have, over time, mitigated their own imposter syndrome report the realisation that others, who they looked up to and who may even have caused their own imposter syndrome, felt exactly the same way inside. This was a key factor in Chief Product Officer Sarah learning how to overcome imposter syndrome.

Ultimately, very few - if any - jobs allow us to work in total isolation. Our work is always performed with and for others around us, and a healthy attitude towards work inherently has to be one that accounts for the presence of others positively, rather than negatively. Issa’s story includes an account of how he was able to harness those around him positively to overcome his own self-criticism, rather than to exacerbate it.

It isn’t just falling short of our self-expectations that can be detrimental to our mental health. For high achievers like Head of Product Maria, the tendency can be to orient ourselves so closely to goals and ambitions that, once we’ve achieved them, we’re left directionless.

CTO and co-founder Eimear has experienced imposter syndrome, and at one level has come to view a small amount as inevitable. However, far from just “living with it,” Eimear has learned to turn an introspective lens on imposter syndrome, and turn it to her advantage.

For more information on imposter syndrome, see Overcoming imposter syndrome.

What is noteworthy about Eimear’s approach is her emphasis on taking note of her own thoughts and responses, without passing a value judgement on them. This is a worthwhile approach to all facets of mental health, and a core part of processes like meditation or therapy through which we can improve our mental health.

Improving our mental health

This section will explore two of the most common approaches to improving our mental health: meditation, and therapy. The intention here is to showcase both approaches to people who may be unfamiliar with, curious, or apprehensive about either. cord does not offer medical advice, and anyone with serious concerns about their mental health should consult a qualified professional.

Meditation

There is a widely-acknowledged link between meditation (or mindfulness) and mental wellbeing. Meditation encourages a detached perspective, allowing us to view our own lives and concerns objectively and without the distortion of our emotional lens.

There are many different schools of meditation. The most famous are rooted in religious or spiritual systems like Buddhism and Hinduism. However, it stereotypes meditation to view it as confined to such belief systems. Christians, for example, might argue that prayer is meditative. All kinds of activities, if performed purposefully and mindfully, can have a meditative effect.

CEO and co-founder Megan explains how her more formal meditation practices are complemented by the meditative impact of more mundane, everyday activities.

To emphasise the point that it is unwise to pigeon-hole meditation, “Love Your Work” podcast host David discusses how meditation can (almost oxymoronically) become productive.

Therapy

For most, if not all, aspects of mental health, talking to other people is one of the most effective steps we can take. This could be with friends, colleagues or family, but many people - especially, but far from exclusively, those struggling with more acute mental health concerns - speaking to a professional therapist can be a transformative experience.

Maria, in this clip, expands on what she views as the benefits of therapy.

A common misconception is that only people with “serious” mental health concerns can benefit from therapy. This article, however, opened with a quote on the idea of mental health best being approached with preventative measures rather than cures, and as such, therapy can be viewed as something from which everyone can benefit - and that doing so sooner allows us to overcome any problems before they escalate into more serious issues. CEO Máté is an advocate of this approach.

At its best, work can improve our mental health incomparably; it is the domain in which many people find meaning, purpose and pride in their lives. At its worst, though, work can have a detrimental impact on our mental wellbeing, and can lead to stress and ultimately burnout. It can, equally, be a breeding ground for self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

Learning how to keep the inherent stress and self-critique of work balanced and in check is one part of the key to maintaining good mental health at work. Equally, meditation and therapy are two popular avenues for improving our own mental health on a day-to-day basis.