MENTAL HEALTH PERCEPTION, APPRECIATION AND DEVELOPMENT

by Gertraud Saumer published in AMA Stay Magazine, Nr. 3, 2023/24

What’s currently happening in the professional world and why is mental health such a hot topic?

The world of work, understanding work itself as well as expectations of efficiency, performance, free time, and life, have changed significantly since the pandemic. This shift was apparent beforehand but was intensified by the pandemic and other threats such as war, climate, and inflation—so much so that it can now be classed as rapid change.

On the one hand, the pace has increased: knowledge is now readily available everywhere, and work processes are much faster than they were just a few years ago as a result of digitalisation. Similarly, the rapid development in the field of artificial intelligence is unsettling for many professional groups. All of this creates pressure.

In addition, the fear of missing out (FOMO) has also increased. Nowadays, our options are seemingly endless, and we often find it difficult to assess what is important to us. How should we prioritise what is really necessary? What should you attend in order to learn something or to network, and what not? All of this is incredibly stressful.

We have less and less social contact because we are working more and more from home, alone in front of the computer. A chance chat with colleagues in the hallway or during coffee breaks is no longer the case. Work has changed, but our psyche has evolved to work and live in tribes. This increasing shift towards working from home is isolating us and could cause us to lose the human touch we need.

Digitalisation has fundamentally changed the world of work and offers us many advantages such as increased autonomy, self-determination, and better opportunities to combine work and private life. However, the challenges and adaptation required on the part of the people should not be underestimated. It is important that we face up to these changes and find ways to deal with them.

What role does work-life blending play when it comes to mental health?

To a certain extent, work-life blending represents a departure from the concept of work-life balance. It is becoming increasingly apparent that work and life are merging. We work while we live and vice versa.

As a result, work is an important part of life, not just with regard to time. Both are inextricably linked. There are no two things where an optimal balance needs to be found. It’s all one, and it’s our life. We no longer organise the phases of our life as before in chronological order (education, work, retirement, and leisure time), but rather in parallel, seamlessly merging into one another.

“First work, then pleasure” is a thing of the past, just as well. Work should be meaningful, fulfilling, and fun. It’s important to know that we can all feel good—at work, in our free time, and in every role we undertake. We have all the tools and opportunities at our fingertips to enable us to decide how we want to live our lives. Life is short!

What tips do you give companies? How can managers support their employees’ mental health?

In addition to a pleasant working environment and incentives such as fruit baskets, sports facilities, company parties, and excursions that should not be underestimated, there are three main things required to promote employees’ mental health: perception, appreciation, and development. These are things we all wish for.

We want to be noticed. And when team leaders empower their teams to commend them on their contribution as part of the team and above all as individuals, it is enriching for both parties.

Since we all want to develop both personally and professionally, the further training opportunities offered by a company are of great importance. All of these are factors that make us positive, give us strength, and do us good.

I am currently noticing that decision-makers in second-level management are often under pressure.

They are responsible for ensuring that their team is doing well and have to communicate good results to the top. They don’t want to show weakness or be associated with the topic of mental health. The fear of being perceived as weak is very prevalent.

This pressure, coupled with a lack of self-awareness, can lead to burnout in the worst-case scenario. Moreover, it has a negative impact on the behaviour of senior members. If team leaders do not show their human side or allow themselves to be vulnerable, neither will their teams. Ideally, everyone should be thinking and treated as a human being.

What link does new leadership have to the topic of mental health?

New leadership, in other words, putting employees’ needs at the forefront, is now an established approach, which I find both unusual and useful. Managers perceive themselves and their employees as people who need dedication.

It’s not just about performance at any cost—the well-being of people involved is important. Managers serve as kind of connecting function, ensuring that team members act independently and responsibly. In this way, you empower your team members to speak.

This has a motivating and meaningful effect, enriches everyday work, and also conveys appreciation. Motivated employees not only act and perform more productively, they also stay at the company longer. This brings us back to the statement made at the beginning that work and life are inextricably linked because work is also life.

With this in mind, companies can benefit in two ways: lower employee turnover and better results. Companies have great tools at their disposal to offer their employees an appealing emotional culture in the workplace.

Finally, what advice do you have for self-employed people, freelancers, and digital nomads? How can they maintain or restore their mental health?

Basically, the same things apply: perception, appreciation, and development. A strong and healthy psyche requires self-reflection.

It is important to bear in mind that the greatest stress from psychological distress to illness is a fluid process. You don’t feel stressed, and angry one day and then sick the next.

I have to be self-aware in order to be able to perceive that certain things in time. It is important that I like myself and that I am kind to myself.

It is important to remember that I am allowed to thrive. I have the right and every opportunity to choose exactly what is good for me. In addition, I can remove myself from a situation that is not good for me and change it. As a result of this, I can develop.