“Our mental health is what drives us to participate in our communities in life, work, and home,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Nathan Congleton—NBC/Getty Images
As health officials continue to sound the alarm about the loneliness epidemic, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy says the prevalence of depression is closely related. Loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of mental health problems, including depression. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 280 million people (5% of the world's adults) suffer from depression (who). This is a common mental illness that negatively impacts sleep, appetite, decision-making, concentration, time management, and social connections.
“The global economic impact of the recession alone is about $1 trillion each year. That's profound,” says U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. luck. “It doesn’t take into account the anxiety and other physical ailments we encounter regarding loneliness and isolation.”
Therefore, increasing rates of loneliness and poor mental health are the reasons Marcy outlined: recommendation Highlight ways workplaces can support employee mental health. Murthy says workplaces thrive when the focus is on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that can combat mental health issues such as loneliness and depression, rather than causing them. And a strong sense of well-being at work can improve employee satisfaction and engagement. In a survey conducted by Ipsos last year, 88% A higher percentage of U.S. workers surveyed said feeling like they belonged made them more productive.
“Our mental health is what drives us to participate in our communities in life, work and home,” he says. “When we struggle with our mental health, it impacts our productivity, engagement, retention and even absenteeism at work.”
Murthy's five key pillars for supporting worker mental health are:
- protect workers from harm
- Supporting community and connection
- Optimize work-life balance
- Create opportunities for employees to grow
- Make sure employees know they and their work matter
Especially since the onset of the pandemic and remote work, finding ways to support employees has been a top priority for leaders and can have myriad positive outcomes, Murthy says. After all, having employees engaged in their work is critical to a company's bottom line.
“I think employers not only care, but they have a responsibility to do everything they can to support mental health in the workplace,” he says. “Ultimately, it not only benefits the organization itself, but it also has a ripple effect on the broader community.”
