DCU Business School’s Post

Throughout the year, we typically experience a lot at work, at home, and in general to keep everything in balance. In order to survive, we must ensure that our standard of living is met financially. At the same time, we must constantly perform well and be productive at work, which calls for one healthy brain and one bright cognitive energy to support daily obligations and wellbeing. In October 2024, we examine the work-related cognitive and mental day and week. We find that safe and healthy work environments can serve as a safeguard for mental well-being. The global call to action "It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace" is widely felt. With more than 2000 participants from 116 nations, the selection procedure was genuinely global in nature, significant opportunity. In a sense, working adults spend more time working during the day than doing anything else; when done well, work can support a person's livelihood and offer a sense of fulfilment and purpose. Too many people, however, find that work falls well short of their potential, failing to improve their lives and negatively impacting their mental and overall well-being in ways that cause excessive distress and mental illness. Anxiety and depression are common mental health problems that affect employees' performance, attendance, and productivity in the workplace worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how urgently mental health issues in the workplace need to be addressed. Now, and the resulting theme reflects the awareness of an urgent need. Enlightened leaders work to fulfil their duty of care globally, understanding that attending to the mental health needs of their workforce benefits both individuals and robust, high-performing organizations.  #MentalHealthDay #CognitiveHealthDay #MentalHealthintheWorkplace #PhakiPersonnelManagementServices

Here's the thing folks, mental health is as critical as physical well-being, especially in our buzzing work environments. 💼✨ Consider this: we spend a huge chunk of our waking hours at work. The state of our mental health within this space can make or break not just our work life, but our overall happiness. Mental well-being directly influences productivity, creativity, and teamwork. It's the cornerstone of a thriving workplace. Our mental spaces need to be nurtured with the same urgency as meeting targets and deadlines. Investing in our minds pays dividends. A supportive work environment can reduce absenteeism and turnover. More so, it can boost morale and forge a culture of inclusivity where everyone feels they belong and can contribute their best. 🌟 Let's not overlook the hard numbers either. A study by Deloitte discovered that poor mental health costs UK employers £45 billion in 2019 and grew to £56 billion in 2020/21. That's no small change! Every £1 invested in mental health intervention yields a £5 return in reduced absence, presenteeism and staff turnover. Now's the time to weave mental health into the very fabric of our work lives. Through open dialogue, supportive policies, and mental health days, we can ensure that our workplaces aren't just spaces to earn, but places to grow. How will you change your work routine to ensure you have positive mental health? #MentalHealthAwareness #WorkplaceWellbeing #InclusiveLeadership

Loneliness is an epidemic, but work can help. Discover five ways work and workplace can help reduce loneliness and create meaning in this @Forbes column by @TracyBrower108. https://bit.ly/4evTCeo

An interesting article in the The British Psychological Society Research Digest regarding the relationship we have to working culture and our wellbeing. It’s almost cliched nowadays to hear friends or aquainances, or pop-ups on social media discussing work with terms and buzzwords such as “the grind, hussle, graft, hard-work-pays-off, workaholic.” Similarly with influencers highlighting their unhealthy working life and habits, such as poor sleep, high stress, excessive working hours, poor working conditions and poor health, as more aspirational trophies, rather than the red flags we know them to be, it’s no wonder these kinds habits and lifestyles are entering a new, but popularised proliferation in our social culture. Emily Reynolds in this article does a great job of detailing the negative effects of overworking and work addiction on our psychology. As well as highlighting the disparities in its impacts across genders. #psychology #occupationalhealth #occupationalpsychology #organisation #organisationalpsychology #organisationalculture #organizationaldevelopment #wellbeing #wellbeingatwork #wellbeingintheworkplace #psychologyinsights #mentalhealth #culture #workplacewellbeing #workplacementalhealth #workplaceculture #grindmode #grind #hardwork #bps #britishpsychologicalsociety

In the APA's 2023 survey, 19% of workers describe their environment as toxic, negatively impacting their mental health. Toxicity is characterized by fear, leading to decreased productivity and increased illness risks. Factors include lack of equity, respect, and ethical behavior. Solutions involve audits, fostering a culture of respect, and leadership training. The Surgeon General’s framework suggests minimizing workplace hazards, reducing overwork, promoting mental health care, and enhancing diversity and inclusion. For more details, visit the [APA website](https://lnkd.in/eZEgFsvX).

“For high-quality thinking… [ ] downtime may be just as productive as uptime”. The relentless drive for productivity might be pushing our brains ‘gear stick’ into modes of thinking that are overwhelming and exhausting, reducing our capacity to think analytically or creatively. That’s according to new scientific discoveries reported in New Scientist this week. To combat this we need to provide plenty of time for our brain to return to ‘lower gears’ for higher quality thinking and outputs. In the workplace this may include providing opportunities and spaces for employees to reflect and restore after periods of higher workplace intensity. The theme for this years World Mental Health Day is ‘Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace’. Employers who are willing to apply in practice new scientific insights about how the brain functions optimally may be better equipped to create flourishing workplaces and businesses in future. #WorldMentalHealthDay #Workplace #MentalHealth #Wellbeing

While awareness of the #wellbeing impact of #loneliness has increased in the last few years and especially since the release of the US Surgeon General's report last year, our image of what it looks like is stuck in the past. I think when most people think of loneliness they conjour up an image of an old person living a solitary life in a care home, or maybe someone who lives alone and doesn't get to go out and socialize. We don't think of the workplace as being the territory of loneliness regardless of whether it's virtual, hybrid or in person. It can be hard to tell if a colleague is lonely - it carries such #stigma that people are very reluctant to admit to feeling lonely even in an environment that has normalized #depression and #anxiety. This is a good overview of the realities of workplace loneliness, how to identify it and what employers and leaders can do to address it. #wellbeingatwork #mentalhealth https://lnkd.in/eEbJECYW

🌟 **Mental Health Awareness: Transforming Workplaces for the Better** 🌟 Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, yet it often doesn't receive the attention it deserves in the workplace. As we continue to prioritize productivity and performance, it's vital to remember that a healthy, supportive environment can significantly enhance both. 🔹 **Why Mental Health Matters:** - **Productivity:** Employees who feel mentally supported are more engaged and motivated. - **Retention:** A positive mental health culture reduces turnover and attracts top talent. - **Innovation:** A mentally healthy workforce is more creative and open to new ideas. 🔹 **Creating a Supportive Environment:** 1. **Open Dialogue:** Encourage conversations about mental health without stigma. 2. **Resources:** Provide access to mental health resources and support systems. 3. **Training:** Educate managers and employees on recognizing and addressing mental health issues. 4. **Flexibility:** Implement policies that allow for work-life balance, such as flexible hours and remote work options. By prioritizing mental health, we create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Let's commit to making mental health a fundamental part of our organizational culture. #MentalHealthAwareness #WorkplaceWellbeing #EmployeeSupport #MentalHealthMatters #HealthyWorkplace --- Feel free to share your thoughts and initiatives on promoting mental health in the workplace. Let's learn and grow together!

Do you have The Right to Disconnect? In today’s fast-paced digital world, it's so important to have the freedom to disconnect from work and enjoy personal time. Constant connectivity and the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life can really affect our mental well-being. Many people are experiencing burnout, anxiety, and even depression because they feel like they can never entirely switch off from work. It's essential to establish more explicit boundaries between work and personal life for yourself to protect your mental health. Have you heard about the "Right to Disconnect" law in France? It was introduced in 2017 to address the rising levels of stress and depression linked to constant connectivity. This law ensures that workers have uninterrupted personal time, reducing the risk of mental health problems and improving overall work-life balance. It was a groundbreaking move that has inspired other countries to consider similar policies to support employee mental health. Several other countries, including Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Ireland, Luxembourg, and in 2022, Ontario, a province in Canada, have followed suit to address the impact of constant digital connectivity on mental health and work-life balance. Each approach differs slightly, but the core principle remains the same: protecting workers from the harmful effects of constant connectivity and ensuring a healthier balance between professional and personal life. It's such a positive step towards supporting employee mental health. #RightToDisconnect #WorkLifeBalance #MentalHealthMatters #EmployeeWellbeing #DigitalDetox #CognitiveHealth #WorkplaceWellness #BurnoutPrevention

In 2019, World Health Organization officially recognized #burnout in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), defining it as a result of unmanaged chronic workplace stress. 💡 This move highlights that burnout is more than an individual issue—it's a problem for organizations to address. 🤮 Now, let's talk toxic workplaces. According to a FlexJobs survey, 42% of American workers are seriously considering quitting, with 20% having recently left. 👨🏻⚖️ The main guilty? A toxic workplace culture, ranked as the third reason for wanting to quit. The American Psychological Association's 2023 survey also revealed that 22% feel their work environment harms their mental health. 🚩 Recognizing a toxic workplace is key. At MindAid.app we understand that tackling #anxiety and #depression as a collective effort can reduce absenteeism, presenteeism, and other indicators of a struggling workplace culture, which will drive your teams to better performance over time. Join us in enhancing your team's productivity through #collaborative efforts.