How hidden personal pressures can negatively impact work and mental health

We all experience pressure at work, whether it be deadlines, stressful or large tasks and busy workloads, there’s a lot of contributing factors towards pressure. But what about the pressures we place on ourselves?

Working closely with line managers to help manage workloads is one thing, but in addition many of us have hidden pressures that can add to poor mental health. For example: financial pressures and making sure you have a good source of income; providing for your family; and depending on the industry you may feel like you have a lot of pressure to help other people or your country.

How can self-imposed pressures impact workplace productivity?

These internal pressures can take a toll on employees, which in turn can have a negative impact on their work. Poor mental health and wellbeing can increase levels of presenteeism, increase absences (short-term and long-term), and negatively impact working relationships or productivity. Needless to say, these things are bad for business as they end up costing a lot and there’ll be less of a return on investment (ROI).

The role of Occupational Health & Wellbeing in supporting employees

Whilst these pressures affecting an employee’s mental health are outside of work, they can be helped at work with the support of managers and occupational health. Nobody should be without access to support, and with increasing levels of poor mental health in the population, it’s vital that support is available within the workplace. Why? Because it benefits everyone. A business can’t flourish without healthy staff, and staff can’t flourish without support.

How Occupational Health eases employees back to work after an absence

Occupational health isn’t just about physical injuries and body support, it also covers mental health. Services such as 24/7 Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), counselling and psychological support, general wellbeing and healthy living education, can really help people manage their mental health and improve it.

Whether it’s used as early preventative measures, or critical / urgent support, it means that people are helped at every stage. Occupational health services also ease people back into work if they’ve been absent due to poor mental health. Employees are more likely to return to the workplace within a shorter timeframe if they know that there is ongoing support available to help them.