4 ways to prioritize mental health at work

If you haven’t personally experienced burnout yet, you’ve likely read about it, or are on the verge.

While more and more people are feeling fed up with the unhealthy and unsustainable levels of stress with work, employers are also struggling to find enough workers to reduce the stress of their existing employees.

Recent data indicates that the number of people who have either left or are planning to leave their current job is on the rise, that will only exacerbate the stress of those left behind.

Whether the grass is truly greener on the other side for those who leave has yet to be determined, but regardless, those leaving are the proverbial canary in the coalmine—an indicator of a toxic environment with dire health consequences. It’s nothing short of a perfect "stress storm" that is sure to pass with deliberate effort and investment in mental health and well-being (and not just wishful thinking).

What’s behind the burnout?

Burnout isn’t just about feeling over-worked, but also under-rested, under-respected, and under-protected, with little hope of help and healing.

We aren’t just dealing with the compounded stresses of work, school, and family life that are competing for our energy and attention, but also societal stresses that contribute to unhealthy levels of worry, tension, tragedy, grief, and trauma—that every individual is experiencing and processing in their own way.

When we don't feel safe enough to share or discuss our mental and emotional needs at home, school, or work (especially if we fear shame, retaliation, or being perceived as flawed, weak, or incapable), our health, relationships, work, and society suffer for it.

Many have shared that they feel forced to put their personal needs aside to meet the demands of others, especially when it comes to work demands that increasingly creep beyond usual duties and business hours.

The harsh reality is that when our individual needs are not met—when personal boundaries are not clearly set or respected, when demands and expectations surpass what we can physically, mentally, or emotionally meet and achieve, when we no longer feel good about ourselves and our accomplishments, and we no longer feel in control of our own life—we struggle to find hope and motivation, and our unconscious stress response takes over (triggered by our amygdala).

And with that increase in stress comes an increase in cortisol that prepares the body to fight, flee, or freeze. This neurological and physiological response is what leads to feelings of anger, anxiety, depression, and desperation—in addition to metabolic imbalance, hypertension, hyperventilation, hypervigilance, etc.

At the same time, the unconscious stress response of your amygdala also inhibits the higher-level functions of your brain by diverting energy away from your prefrontal cortex. Your prefrontal cortex is what drives critical thinking, comprehension, emotional regulation, impulse control, empathy, and creativity—not to mention the healthful sense of hope and motivation you need to manage stress and achieve your goals.

That’s why when fighting doesn't work, we flee.

While leaving a stressful situation might provide a momentary sense of relief with a rush of serotonin and dopamine (that calms our amygdala and powers-up our prefrontal cortex), the stress will likely return in another form (as worry, anger, or regret) unless we find the care and healing we need.

So what can we do?

First, make mental health a priority—now and always.

Don’t wait for the next crisis before you start taking care of your mental health.

And once this storm subsides, don’t stop making your mental health a priority until the next one hits. Stay proactive to be better prepared and a step ahead!

Start learning and practicing preventive care, including mental fitness exercises you can use to promote brain health and mental well-being, both neurologically and physiologically.

Be an advocate for mental health by focusing on brain health to properly care for the most important organ in your body. It takes as much motivation, effort, and support to care for your mental health as it does your physical health—especially since they are interconnected—so let others know that there is NO SHAME in taking care of their brain and mental health either, that drive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

By making your own mental health a priority, you will be a healthful example and influence for others, to help cultivate a healthier community!

Second, seek mental healthcare services from your current employer to make the most of the benefits you have (that many do not).

Ask your employer if clinical mental healthcare services are covered by your health insurance or Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

While clinical therapy or counseling sessions might make you feel uncomfortable at first (as your neurons are forced to fire in new ways—like a good workout), finding a therapist who helps you feel safe and understands your needs is important too. So take some time to explore provider options, and don't be afraid to change providers a couple of times (that's just part of the process).

Also know that employers are feeling the stress and strain as well (including the real business costs of losing a trained and trusted employee like YOU!), so odds are that your employer will be more than happy for you to take full advantage of the health benefits they offer (including paid time-off) to help improve your well-being and job satisfaction—that increases retention.

Third, if mental health services are NOT covered by your employer, then request it.

The reality is, once your stress threshold is hit, that’s it.

What employers often don't realize (until the sh*t hits the fan) is that while you absolutely need to be compensated equitably for what your work is worth, no amount of money can increase your stress threshold or ability to do more work than you are able. Burnout is neurologically and physiologically real.

Unfortunately, many of us still believe money is the silver-bullet for motivation, and unwittingly put MORE stress and pressure on people to perform, without actually taking care of their needs. As much as we all might dream of being rich and famous, as though all of our stress would just melt away, stress is not reduced by a bigger paycheck, bigger house, fancier car, new clothes, finer foods, or luxury vacation—especially if you can’t even find the time to schedule it, and aren’t able to disconnect from work when you're on it!

The only good that money can actually do is pay for what you need to maintain your health and well-being, including the necessary help and support you need to reduce stress, whether in the form of support staff, childcare, senior care, training, treatment, recovery, relaxation, therapy, or other form of care and support. Everything above that is just icing on the cake, that you need your mental health to enjoy.

It's important to note that while your employer may not be able to immediately add mental health services to your benefits, your request is a valid one that will help build a business case for it.

Supplemental services like mental fitness programs that promote brain health and mental well-being might also provide an affordable preventive care option that can be used in combination with clinical health services.

And when all else fails, find an employer that puts people first and provides the care you need (even if that employer is YOU, should you dare the challenge of self-employment!).

Any sustainable business knows that people are not disposable parts that can be abused and replaced when they wear out.

That's why businesses that put profit before people and neglect the health and well-being of their employees are now feeling the burn, with their own business at risk, by failing to invest in the health and vitality of their human capital.

First and foremost, you are the CEO of your own life, that gives you the power and authority to make your health, happiness, and success (that is your business) your top priority, with clear boundaries and expectations, as every successful CEO should.

Simply put, it’s time we invest in more healthful and sustainable business solutions that treat people like people, by making mental health a priority—to empower every individual to feel and do their best (including YOU!).