Feeling Depressed? Go to Work, Says Harvard Psychologist
Companies who don’t address employees’ mental health might be sabotaging themselves, a new study shows.
Companies Negatively Affected by Poor Mental Health
Adults with social anxiety and depression tend to work fewer hours, according to a recent study published in Psychiatric Research & Clinical Practice.
Researchers analyzed the data of 250 adults between ages 18 and 60 who were diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. During a 52-week period, they tracked how many hours each participant worked and recorded their anxiety and depression symptoms to see if their mental state could predict hours worked.
‘The less we do, the less likely we are to experience things that make us feel better’
CEOs and employees both are negatively affected when poor mental health persists, says Natalie Datillo, a clinical psychologist and instructor at Harvard Medical School. Depression and anxiety are treated differently, but they both cause people to isolate, she says.
“What comes with avoidance is isolation and withdrawal and limiting our opportunity to have positively reinforcing experiences,” she says.
Working can provide some safeguards that are often overlooked.
“Work has a protective effect on our mental health,” she says. “Overall working is good for us from a mental health standpoint. It provides structure for our life, it gives us something to do, it allows us an opportunity to interact with other people, not to mention it allows us to have an income.”
How Work Can Help
A person who struggles with some anxious tendencies might find it challenging to go to work, give presentations, and interact with co-workers, but ultimately isn’t plagued by their decision to do so.
“For the most part we can pull it together and do it and feel better afterwards,” Datillo says. “With folks who struggle with an anxiety disorder they don’t feel better. They spend the rest of the day overthinking or ruminating or obsessing on how they did, what are other people thinking.”
If they are depressed, harsh self-criticism can kick-in, as well. This can cause them to leave early, call in sick, and self-isolate even more.
Ironically, the more they avoid work the more severe their anxiety and depression symptoms can become, Datillo says.
“The less we do and the more we avoid, the less likely we are to experience things that make us feel better,” she says.
Companies Benefit from Caring About Employees’ Mental Health
By caring about their employees’ mental health, companies might actually be helping their bottom line.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s essential for companies to prioritize their employees’ mental health and well-being. By doing so, they can improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and increase overall job satisfaction. As Datillo emphasizes, “Work has a protective effect on our mental health, and by going to work, we can experience positively reinforcing experiences that make us feel better.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can companies support employees’ mental health?
A: Companies can support employees’ mental health by providing resources such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mental health days, and flexible work arrangements.
Q: What are the benefits of addressing employees’ mental health?
A: Addressing employees’ mental health can improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and increase overall job satisfaction.
Q: How can individuals manage their mental health while working?
A: Individuals can manage their mental health while working by prioritizing self-care, seeking support from colleagues and supervisors, and taking breaks to reduce stress.
