Break the Seal, Share What You Feel: Workplace Mental Health Tips For Men

Workplace mental health is key to everyone’s overall well-being. Yet, mental wellness is often overlooked. Men often face societal pressure to appear strong, stoic, and unemotional. This expectation can make it challenging for them to open up and seek support. 

Virat Kohli, the renowned Indian cricketer, reflects on a challenging phase in his career when he felt overwhelmed, stating, "I have gone through a phase in my career. I felt that it was the end of the world. I just didn’t know what to do and what to say to anyone — how to speak, how to communicate." By recognising these unique pressures and implementing mental health management strategies, workplaces can foster an encouraging and inclusive environment for all employees.

The inherent stigma surrounding mental health among Indians is one of the biggest hurdles that men face in sharing their hardships. For many men, talking about their mental health issues or stress at work can feel like a gesture of weakness. Conventional gender roles often discourage Indian men from expressing vulnerability, which often prevents them from seeking the required help at the right time. This often results in underreporting of workplace stress on men and may lead to a lack of support.

Workplace mental health pertains to the psychological well-being of employees within the work ambience. Workplace mental health is a multi-dimensional concept encompassing various factors that affect the mental well-being of employees. These factors include:

• Working sphere

Factors such as ease of access to the office space, ventilation, lighting conditions, noise levels, and the ergonomic design of the cubicle can directly influence the mental wellness of employees.

• Excessive workloads

Do you often feel overwhelmed by heavy workloads, high expectations, or tight deadlines? Balancing multiple responsibilities can elevate stress and anxiety levels. Reflect on your workload — what strategies can you implement to manage it better?

• Job security

In today’s economic climate, job security can be a significant source of stress. Do you feel secure in your position? Discussing your career path with a supervisor or mentor to alleviate uncertainties can gain clarity.

• Work-life balance

Managing a healthy balance between work and personal life is crucial for maintaining mental health. The pressure of reaching corporate targets often makes employees compromise with their work-life balance. This does not only impact their mental health, but in the long run, it can lead to several adverse physical outcomes.

• Organisational culture

Positive relationships with colleagues and an inclusive culture can foster better mental health. However, a lack of coordination and collaboration among team members and thriving on a poor corporate culture with inefficient leadership can aggressively damage mental health.

Here are some common factors that indicate that workplace mental wellness is taking a hit. 

• Performance Decline

Men experiencing workplace stress may struggle to maintain their usual performance levels. Stress can lead to a drop in productivity, focus, and overall work quality, affecting both individual and team outcomes. This may manifest as missed deadlines, decreased enthusiasm for projects, or an increase in errors.

• Anxiety and depression

Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can be intensified by work-related pressures. In India, a considerable portion of the male workforce grapples with these challenges, and high-stress environments can further escalate symptoms.

• Emotional changes

Key signs of workplace stress in men include feelings of withdrawal or burnout, decreased motivation and self-confidence, and intense emotional reactions. Recognising these changes is crucial for addressing mental health.

• Workplace stressors

Various factors can contribute to workplace stress in men, such as feeling undervalued, inadequate compensation, overwhelming workloads, and limited growth opportunities. Addressing these stressors through support and recognition can play a significant role in enhancing workplace mental wellness.

Your mental and emotional well-being greatly benefits from prioritising self-care. Here are some ways you can take to manage your workplace mental health effectively:

• Speak up

Open communication is crucial for mental health. Don't hesitate to express your feelings, views, and concerns. Consider this: Who in your life could you trust to share your thoughts with? It could be a colleague, a friend, a close relative, or a mental health professional. Take a moment to reach out to someone today — how would you start that conversation?

• Set boundaries

Learning to say no is an important skill in preventing burnout. Reflect on your current workload: Are there tasks you can delegate or decline? Establishing clear boundaries at work can help you sustain a healthy work-life balance. What limits can you establish to protect your time and energy?

• Practice self-care

Think about your go-to self-care activities. Do you enjoy physical exercise? It’s known to release endorphins that can help reduce stress. Or perhaps meditation is more your style? It can help calm your mind and improve your focus. Take a few minutes today to do something that brings you joy and relaxation — what will you choose?

• Seek professional help

If you're struggling, remember that seeking help from a health professional is a sign of strength, not weakness. Reflect on your feelings: Are there specific challenges you're facing that could benefit from professional support? Don’t hesitate to take that step — finding the right person to talk to can make all the difference.

• Perspective-taking

Perspective-taking involves considering a situation from another person's viewpoint, which can greatly enhance workplace relationships. By understanding the thoughts and feelings of colleagues, employees foster empathy and improve communication, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts. As team members recognise each other’s unique challenges, they become better equipped to work together effectively, ultimately promoting mental well-being for everyone involved.

Employers should strive to manage the mental wellness of their employees. Here are some steps to actively implement in the workplace to stir a corporate culture of support, appreciation, and productivity.

• Creating a supportive environment

Mental health training and employee assistance programs such as confidential counselling services can help prevent workplace stress.

• Encouraging work-life balance

Work-life balance is essential for mental health. Flexible working hours, remote work options, and paid time off can help prevent employee burnout.

• Promoting physical health

Good physical health is closely linked to an individual's overall mental well-being. Employers can promote physical well-being by offering health benefits and encouraging physical exercise.

• Building a community

A sense of community in the workplace can provide men with a support network. Team-building activities, peer support groups, and employee recognition programs can help build relationships and a sense of belonging.

Addressing mental health in the workplace often requires a multifaceted approach that considers the several unique challenges that men may face. To help men prioritise their mental well-being, employers can possibly create an environment where men feel empowered to do so through various strategies that focus on education, support, work-life balance, physical health, and community building. Remember, addressing workplace mental health positively impacts both employees and employers.

Mental health directly affects your productivity and overall wellness. Hence, mental health is important in the workplace and should not be taken lightly.

Providing education on mental health in the workplace can help men overcome the stigma associated with seeking help.

If available, talk directly to your employer or HR personnel. Discuss issues you face and things that can improve your mental wellness and the overall productivity of the workplace.

Depending upon your employer, you may have an employee assistance programme, which may be included in your health benefits. Nevertheless, there are always several support groups run by medical professionals who can help you with the information and support you require.

Building a supportive community at the workplace, understanding the social stigma associated with men expressing their mental health issues, and promoting well-tailored educational campaigns can help promote men’s mental health.

Try to be supportive and reach out to them. If they find it difficult to talk with you, find someone whom they may be comfortable with or recommend professional help. Make sure they know you are always there to help them out.