Should Mental Health Be an Executive Priority?
Working is part of an adult’s landscape in that they put many hours a week into it, more now than ever. If it is a fulfilling job, people find satisfaction and enjoyment from work. When it is stressful, they may not feel like themselves, get burned out, and experience mental health issues as a result. Mental health should be a priority for those at the top, including professionals and executives. Unfortunately, it seems mental health is being overlooked as the demands on professionals is rising higher than ever.
Depression Risk
Executives are at higher risk of depression due to their work schedules and having to fit the demands of a job that asks a lot of them. Rates of depression are going up for professionals who work long hours, travel for work, and experience more time away from family life. As an executive or professional, it may be hard to show up for work feeling excited after a while or able to focus when at work. This can cause depression, anxiety, anger outbursts, and even drive addictive behaviors.
Making Mental Health a Priority
Workplace culture issues may be dampening the effectiveness of other efforts. It is expensive for employers to not deal with their executive’s mental health because of all the small ways it impacts an organization or company. Mental health issues can keep people from being productive, lead to more time off work, and even increase the risk of employees needing time off and away from their job to deal with mental health issues. Building a supportive workplace is a challenge worth tackling. When companies make executive health a priority, the stigma subsides and there are fewer barriers to care. Mentally healthy and supportive workspaces are key, even with the challenges. There are barriers to care, but changes can be good in creating space to feel heard and listened to at work. Executive leadership needs to be healthy and strong so they can lead others well.
Key Strategies
When it comes to making positive changes to reduce the mental health challenges people have, engaging executive leadership is key. A mentally healthy workplace is important for those at the top to maintain an advantage and offering support or inclusion. Executives can also do more to make sure they are focused on what is important for their mental health. This includes:
- Finding support when needed
- Seeking quiet spaces outside of work to rest like in nature
- Working with other executives to create pieces of training and opportunities to learn about executive leadership and mental health
One of the best ways to fight mental health issues is to be mentally healthy. Drug rehab and counseling can be supportive of mental health training and learning how to navigate these challenging issues effectively.
The Palmetto Center provides space for executives to feel heard. If you are struggling with mental health and addiction issues, we are here to support your journey of recovery. Our program provides a special focus for professionals including chiropractors, nurses, doctors, lawyers, and more who need help with addiction recovery. Call us to find out more: 866-848-3001.