Better staff relations could have reduced mental health crisis

The alarming workplace mental health crisis resulting from Covid-19 could have been reduced through better employee/employer relationships, a new study has revealed. 

Research carried out by Mental Health America and the Faas Foundation, reveals that workers have experienced incredible stress, burnout and financial insecurity during the pandemic. The lack of supervisor/managerial support amid the increasing work-related mental health issues, did not help matters either, confirmed The 2021 Mind the Workplace report. In fact, it highlights some of the starkest findings on employee stress and burnout to date.

According to the report, 83% of workers have felt emotionally drained from their work. Around 59% said that their supervisor does not provide enough support to help them manage their stress. And less than 5% felt that their employers provide a safe environment for employees who live with mental illness.

FINANCIAL SECURITY CONCERNS

“What we know is the pandemic has uprooted the daily routines and responsibilities of so many employees in our country; and it’s causing anxiety and depression,” stated Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO of Mental Health America. “The American workplace was unprepared for the Covid-19 pandemic and the effect it would have on workers. That is a key take-home point from this year’s Mind the Workplace report.”

Many employees have also been concerned about their financial security. According to the report, 58% worry about not having enough money to pay for their living expenses; and they can’t afford to save for an emergency. Nearly 34% reported they were unable to afford their health care costs. Additionally, 56% of employees spent time looking for a new job, compared to 40% in 2018.

DISTURBING STATISTICS

“The 2021 report is a very disturbing condemnation of how organisations have responded to Covid-19,” added Andrew Faas, Founder of the Faas Foundation. “The report highlights how much the stress could have be reduced by a better employer/employee relationship.”

The impact can be felt across different industries and company sizes, for both remote and in-person workers. While the survey’s findings are disconcerting, they also provide an opportunity for employers to better understand the mental health challenges that their workforce faces. Once employers understand the issues/impacts, they can take steps to address them, noted the report. Click here for more information.