Providing Support for Worker Mental Health

Symptoms of stress

Work-related stress can affect worker well-being, the care and services given to others while on the job, and the well-being of loved ones outside of work. Symptoms of stress can include:

• Feeling irritated, angry, or in denial
• Feeling uncertain, nervous, or anxious
• Feeling helpless or powerless
• Lacking motivation
• Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or burned out
• Feeling sad or depressed
• Having trouble sleeping
• Having trouble concentrating

Know about burnout:

Workers experiencing burnout often feel exhausted and cynical. Burnout is a long-lasting state that can seriously impact workers’ abilities to respond to normal life activities adaptively and effectively, in and outside of work.1 Working in a distressing environment can strain a person’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Workers with burnout are more likely to experience mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Burnout can also impact employee retention. Workers experiencing burnout may be less engaged at work and choose to leave their job or their profession altogether.

Managers and supervisors

Changing workplace policies and practices are the best way to address burnout.

Managers and supervisors can play a big role in reducing and preventing job-related stress. Burnout can develop when workers have too many demands that require effort and not enough resources to meet those demands.

Managers and supervisors can use a Total Worker Health® approach to implement policies, practices, and programs. A program to reduce work-related stress might include:

• Implementing organizational and management policies that eliminate the root causes of stress, such as excess demands or workplace bullying.
• Implementing policies that provide workers with increased flexibility and control over their work and schedules.
• Providing training for supervisors on strategies to reduce stressful working conditions.
• Providing training and interventions to help manage and reduce stress for all workers.
• Providing access to Employee Assistance Programs.

Ways to cope

Learning to cope in a healthy way can also help reduce stress in the workplace. Workers can:

• Communicate with your coworkers, supervisors, and employees about job stress.
  • Talk openly about how job stress is affecting your well-being.
  • Identify factors that cause stress and work together to identify solutions.
  • Ask about how to access mental health resources in your workplace.
• Identify and accept those things which you do not have control over.
• Take breaks during your shift to rest, stretch, or check in with supportive colleagues, coworkers, friends, and family.
• When away from work, get exercise when you can. Spend time outdoors either being physically activity or relaxing. Do things you enjoy during non-work hours.
• Learn other healthy ways to cope with stress, including taking care of your mind and body.

Resources

If you want more information on coping with stress:

• PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
• CDC's Healthcare Workers: Work Stress & Mental Health
• CDC's Suicide and Occupation
• CDC's Workplace Health Promotion
• The Joint Commission Quick Safety: Developing resilience to combat nurse burnout
• Leaders Go First Campaign