Mental health in the workplace

October 10 was World Mental Health Day, and as an employee who cares about their mental state in the workplace, I spoke to clinical psychologist - Dessy Tzoneva (former spokesperson for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group)

Here is what she had to say about mental health in the workplace:

Bridget: Should the responsibility of curbing workplace stress be placed on the hands of employers?

Dessy: This does not have to be an either/or job. Addressing workplace stress can be a collaborative task, with employers and employees both taking responsibility for what is within the control of each, making changes where possible to support stress reduction.

 Bridget: Are people with mental health problems protected from discrimination in South Africa, in the workplace? 

Dessy: Even when the law protects people who are living with a mental health condition, it requires employers to enforce it, which does not always happen. There is also a lot of stigma that eixsts among peers, which – in the workplace – can look like jokes about a colleague's condition, gossip, and ongoing comments about the time needed for them to attend treatment.This often adds to the stress experienced by people trying to cope with a mental illness.

Bridget: To what degree should an employee talk to an employer about their mental health needs?

Dessy: With treatment, mental illness can be managed and the impact on the employee, as well as on the employer, can be minimised. But often, in order for this to happen, the employee needs to be able to trust that s/he can speak confidentially to her/his manager, and the employee needs to be supported in terms of attending treatment, as is the case with any other medical condition. This means that an employee would need to voice their needs so that they can negotiate with their employer new boundaries regarding workplace hours, leave, and other expectations.

Bridget: What are some of the major contributors of mental illness in the workplace?Dessy: There are many contributors to mental illness. Aspects of their life at work, at home, their genetics, childhood experiences, and so much more can affect a person's mental health. Work expereinces can be a major source of stress and anxiety.

Bridget: Are private health care providers better equipped at helping people who have mental illnesses than public health care providers?

Dessy: No, that is not necessarily the case. There can be more practical frustrations in public healthcare, such as long queues, waiting periods, medication restrictions, etc., but this does not mean that the quality of the service provided by the mental health professionals there is of any lower quality than private practitioners.

Bridget: What does the South African Depression and Anxiety Group do?

Dessy: SADAG is a mental health advocacy NGO that offers free guidance to helpline callers on where to find mental health assistance/treatment in their areas. Telephonic counsellors offer information and referrals to helpful local resources. The NGO also runs awareness campaigns, outreach projects, support groups, and wellness days at companies wanting to engage their employees on the topic of mental health. 

Bridget: How can we better manage our emotions?

Dessy: This is a complex question, and is often the focus of ongoing psychotherapy, so there is no simple, single answer. A good starting point is to become more self-aware so that you can notice what you are feeling and thinking, and begin to understand your reactions before acting on them impulsively.