The Delicate Balance of Work and Mental Health

It is a universal understanding that work makes you stressed due to tight deadlines, high demands, and never enough time to complete what needs to be done. Stress at work can take a serious toll on your mental health so it is important to be aware of how to manage a healthy balance of work and health. Coping techniques and finding ways to keep work stressors out of your personal life can drastically improve your mental health.

Millennials

The younger generation in the workforce is having trouble with their ability to manage both stress and depression. Mashable reported that one in five (20%) millennials in the workforce suffer from some form of depression. This is a much more than previous generations with both baby boomers and generation having 16% within their workforce. Millennials also have a much stronger understanding of the mechanics behind depression and view it more a just “feeling sad”. They view it as a serious disease that can affect not only your personal life but your ability to sustain income. Mashable stated that two-thirds of millennials who are depressed, may not find their symptoms strong enough to keep them at home, it does hinder their ability to manage high volume workloads.

Manage

There are not many cures to mental health diseases but there are ways to manage them to keep you sane and employed. Even some companies are beginning to find the benefits indirectly addressing mental health with their employees. On a personal level, what you can do is prioritize your mind overwork. An unhealthy mind cannot perform to the best of its ability at work. Take time to see a doctor, therapist or find time to give your health a break and breathe. Work can easily consume your daily life so make sure to step aware when you feel overwhelmed with daunting tasks. Self-awareness is key to identifying an unhealthy mind.

Companies can also do their part in addressing this issue with their employees. Many are giving their employees “safe spaces” in order to give employees a place to relax and take a mental break when things get tough in the workplace. As well, managers should be fully equipped to identify and act on employees who are showing signs of mental health problems. Proper training of mental health in the workplace can also help facilitate stronger relationships with employees and give them the opportunity to work to the best of their abilities.

Apps for Mental Health

Mental health awareness has been a topic of conversation across the country (for the better). As well, the use of online platforms and technological dependence have also been growing in popularity. The world of mental health and technology have begun to merge to give aid to those in different ways. Mental health apps are offering resources to individuals who need more than medication of a weekly visit.

TalkSpace

This is has become quite popular among individuals who feel overwhelmed at work or in their personal life. It can also be used to help with managing anxiety. This app allows its users to connect with a licensed therapist in complete anonymity. The drive for this app’s popularity is due to the support that many need in between scheduled therapy visits. There are various plan options that range from unlimited sessions for $25 per week to a live video session for $29. It is a great resource for those who need guidance in moments when others are not available.

Woebot

Similar to TalkSpace, Woebot offers chat service at any time. The catch is that Woebot is completely automated. The AI checks in with users to see how they are doing throughout the day. The users can respond and have real-time conversations with Woebot. Woebot offers suggestions, calms users down, or just has a pleasant conversation based upon the needs of the user. This a great resource for anyone who gets stressed easily or has depression or anxiety issues.

Huddle

This app is all about sharing the experience through personal stories. If there is someone you want to get off of your chest but do not want people to know who you are, Huddle is the app for you. You can share a video of yourself telling your story while the entire video has pixelated out your face. It has a feature adjust the amount the video is blurred so users have the option to share their stories of addiction to depression in complete anonymity and begin to slowly un-blur their videos to display their face if they chose to do so.

Happify

Happify is a service that helps you find your personal happiness. It is driven by science and a service that helps you, step by step, to achieve your personal happiness. It is designed to break old patterns and start new ones. Their mission statement is, “Happify is the single destination for effective, evidence-based solutions for better emotional health and wellbeing in the 21st century.

Suicide awareness month

September is Suicide Awareness Month and there are multiple ways to help spread awareness and help others who may be thinking of suicide. There are many reasons as to why someone would attempt suicide but there are resources for them to begin to change their mindset. Here are a few resources to spread suicide awareness and help give resources to others.

Reach out to Friends

The first thing you can do within your own social circle is to reach out to people you may know. There are probably people you know who are suffering from depression or thoughts of suicide that you may not even notice. Take the time to talk to others and connect with those who may be at risk.

There are a few warning signs to look out for to aid in identifying someone who may be suicidal. One of the biggest warning signs would be them openly discussing wanting to die or to kill oneself. As well, if they post or talk about having a lack of purpose in life or having feelings of being trapped. Increased consumption of alcohol or drugs can also be a big warning sign. These are just a few warning signs to be aware of when looking to help others.

Share Online

A simple way to show that you are a shoulder to lean on or a person to talk to would be to post a status online in support of suicide awareness. Even a simple tweets advocating to reach out if anyone is considering suicide as an option. There are a few graphics below that you can use to be an advocate for suicide awareness.

Resources

Immediate resources for someone who is suicidal should immediately call a hotline to talk to a trained professional. A great immediate hotline to call would be call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 741-741. If you are looking for a long term solution, The Center for Assessment and Treatment of New Jersey is an excellent resource for finding a proper diagnosis and treatment for your mental health. Visit their website at https://www.assessmentandtreatment.org/crisis/ to find a supportive team that will guide you through your mental health journey.