Every week — for adults, at least — work takes up a huge portion of our waking hours. And those hours are vital to every aspect of our wellness … but they also take a toll on our well-being.
It’s no surprise that workplace stress can seriously harm our mental health. Burnout isn’t just “feeling tired”; it’s a state of emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced effectiveness that compounds over time. NAMI’s recent workplace poll shows just how common this is: More than half of employees reported feeling burned out in the past year, and many say work has worsened their mental health or made them consider quitting.
It’s easy to take this all for granted — work, of course, wasn’t meant to be simple, easy, and fun. But before it drags us under, we should be asking: How can we manage our mental wellness at work? And where can we turn to for help?
Workplace Facts
Burnout and job-related mental health struggles are widespread. Globally, depression and anxiety lead to billions of lost workdays (and for those counting, the World Health Organization says that’s an estimated $1 trillion per year in lost productivity). In the U.S., specific fields have seen dramatic increases in burnout; for instance, nearly 1/2 of health workers have reported frequent burnout in recent years.
With so much data confirming the scale of this workplace challenge, it’s important to say: You’re not alone. And it’s important for all of us to help remove stigma and call for employers and governments to prioritize workplace mental health. And below, we’re sharing a few other ideas employees and employers can do to help.
Mental Health Tips for Employees: Because self-care is job #1.
- Set boundaries and protect time off. Turn off work notifications outside of set hours when possible, and use vacation and mental health days. While research shows many who feel overwhelmed also worry about being judged, setting boundaries is an act of self-care and professional responsibility.
- Schedule recovery time. Short breaks, walks and breathing exercises reduce acute stress and improve concentration. Even five minutes away from a screen can help you reset.
- Prioritize physical health. From prioritizing sleep to getting plenty of movement, and healthy nutrition, your physical health is important for building resilience to stress.
- Find peer support. Sharing concerns with a trusted friend or colleague, or joining a support group can do wonders. Learn more about NAMI Colorado Springs’ peer-led groups here and here.
- Know when to ask for help. If work-related stress leads to persistent anxiety, depression or functional impairment, contact your doctor or a mental health professional, or see if your company offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Mental Health Tips for Employers: A safe work environment helps us all.
- Normalize conversations about mental health. NAMI’s workplace polling shows stigma and fear of judgment are major barriers. When leaders show that it’s OK to discuss stress or seek time off for mental health, employees feel safer.
- Manage workloads intentionally. Review task assignments, clarify priorities and redistribute work when teams are overloaded. Frequent check-ins can catch stress early.
- Make reasonable accommodations. Flexible hours, hybrid schedules or temporary deadline adjustments can help foster a better sense of balance for employees, and help with employee retention, too.
- Train leaders in mental health first-aid. Equip supervisors to recognize signs of distress and respond supportively.
- Offer accessible mental health benefits. EAPs, expanded insurance coverage for therapy, and lists of local resources improve access.
- Evaluate your culture. Use anonymous surveys to assess burnout, workload and your employees’ sense of safety — then act on the results.
A Team Effort
Just like the job itself, mental health at work should be treated as a team effort. Employers, leaders and coworkers all play a role. Together we can make Pikes Peak region workplaces safer, more supportive, and more humane.
If you or someone you know is struggling with workplace stress, NAMI Colorado Springs is here for you. We offer local mental health programs and resources for individuals, and can work with employers to bring presentations and supports into the workplace. Review other areas of this website to find out more, or reach out to us at 719.473.8477 or info@namicos.org.