Mental Health in the Workplace

Since when did mental health become such a huge topic in the workplace? Since when did work life balance become so intertwined? How do managers end up falling into the trap of toxic work environments?

Defining the Strictly Work Relationship:

First, lets define a strictly work relationship. You acknowledge each other politely, you have mundane interactions about the work or copy machine not working and wish each other happy holidays. Working relationships only discuss work, no personal matters and only work related matters discussed. For most small companies, this is the not the case.

For most small companies, this is hardly ever the case. In environments where you’re working side by side with people every day, it’s only natural that boundaries begin to blur. Over time, you’ll likely open up to your colleagues, sharing snippets of your personal life, your ups and downs, and finding common ground beyond just the work at hand. These interactions, while initially small, foster trust and understanding — creating a sense of camaraderie that can enhance collaboration and make work feel a little less like a grind.

The Complications of Friendly Companionship:

Friendly companionship can become problematic when working together as working environments are not built for the messiness of life. Emotions, feelings and ups and downs of everyday life is not the business as usual status quo.

Funny enough, businesses are built with comradery of others ingrained with he route word of 'company' being "coming together" or "bread". It can be said 'breaking bread' is typically something you do with those you trust ie. Friends or family, this word identifies how interactive business is yet friendly companionship can cause disruptions?

Mental Health and the Workplace: A Wake-Up Call:

Mental health is a lesson to us all that we have no idea what people are struggling with On the surface. It's a reminder to be kind to yourself, take your job at face value and be prepared for business to be mended, twisted and whipped into personal habits and personalities. Its a wake up call to be more compassionate, ,understanding and patient - not only with other but ourselves, too.

In a world where work is often seen as the primary measure of our value, it's easy to become overwhelmed by expectations. We may push ourselves to the limit to succeed, only to be met with disappointment or burnout. Remember, your job does not define your worth. It’s a reminder that, at the end of the day, work is just that — work. It’s a place where you may do your best, but there are still external factors like company downsizing, budget cuts, or management changes that may lead to layoffs or job changes, and none of it is personal.

The key takeaway here is that businesses are fundamentally human, and as such, they are full of complexities — from personal relationships to mental health. As workplaces become more integrated with the emotions and well-being of their employees, it’s essential that both employers and employees cultivate a balance between empathy and professionalism, ensuring that the work environment remains conducive to both productivity and personal growth. This balance doesn’t come easily, but with intention and open communication, it’s possible to create a workplace where individuals feel supported in both their professional and personal lives.