Mental health issues are a global productivity risk

The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies mental health disorders as the leading cause of disability worldwide, significantly affecting workplace productivity, absenteeism, and turnover.

At work, chronic stress, driven by heavy workload, time pressure, low control, poor relationships, and unclear expectations, raises anxiety, depression, and burnout. By contrast, psychological safety, where people feel safe, seen, and supported, helps teams take smart risks, innovate, speak up early, and stay. This improves problem-solving and retention.

Practical Strategies for Employees:

1. Build Personal Resilience and Stress Management Skills

  • Reframe negative thinking. Learn to challenge unhelpful thoughts and replace them with solution-focused ones. Techniques such as gratitude practice and positive reframing reduce anxiety and stress.
  • Cultivate creativity. Creative outlets (journaling, brainstorming, visual mapping) improve resilience and adaptability, helping employees cope with uncertainty and pressure.
  • Practice mindfulness and relaxation. Mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, and short mental resets during the day can regulate stress levels and boost focus.

2. Prioritise Self-Care and Boundaries

  • Set healthy work limits. Create clear start/stop times, decline excessive overtime, and take regular breaks to recharge.
  • Protect physical health. Exercise, adequate sleep, and balanced nutrition are protective against burnout and anxiety.
  • Use time off intentionally. Take mental health days or annual leave before reaching crisis point rather than pushing through exhaustion.

3. Seek Connection and Support

  • Lean on trusted relationships. Build strong peer networks, mentoring relationships, and informal support groups to talk through challenges and reduce isolation.
  • Open up to managers or HR. Where possible, communicate mental health needs early to access adjustments (e.g., flexible hours, workload changes, quiet workspace).
  • Use available resources. Engage with Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), therapy, counselling, or external helplines if provided.

4. Actively Foster Work–Life Integration

  • Balance personal and professional identity. Make time for family, hobbies, and meaningful activities outside work. This helps preserve energy and prevent work from becoming overwhelming.
  • Schedule micro-recoveries. Even 5–10 minute breaks away from screens or your desk help regulate mood and mental energy throughout the day.

5. Develop a Growth Mindset

  • Seek learning opportunities. Professional development and upskilling can reduce feelings of stagnation and increase career satisfaction, which is linked to better mental health.
  • Advocate for self. Understand personal needs (e.g., flexible work, feedback, resources) and request them constructively to maintain balance and growth.

Individual strategies help people day-to-day, and organisation-level action is just as important.

Omnicor’s Employee Engagement Surveys offer powerful insights into how your people are really feeling, helping you identify stressors, improve well-being, and foster a culture of care.

Explore Omnicor’s Employee Engagement Surveys: https://employee-engagement-surveys.omnicor.co.za/

Author: Coral Ponnadu