Can technology help employees with their mental health?
Mental illness in the workplace is a costly problem for employers. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. Productivity problems can have a trickle-down effect, impacting everything from company culture to employee retention -- and the problem is getting worse, not better. Studies show that mental illness diagnosis rates are rising, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
As this problem grows, employers must establish policies that identify mental illness in the workplace, reduce the on-the-job stressors that exacerbate the problem, and create a more supportive environment that helps employees to work through their hurdles. Here are a few ways that organizations can accomplish these goals with technology.
59% of adults experience stress in the workplace -- could business technology provide a means to help reduce this figure?
The combination of technology and mental health can often have negative connotations. There is plenty of media attention surrounding the negative impact the former can have on the latter. In fact, there is research identifying that social media and too much screen time can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, which can lead to hampered sleep and increased stress levels. A recipe for disaster?
Looking at the other side of the coin, technology can also work to improve mental health and stress levels. In recent years, technology has brought about hugely beneficial health apps like Headspace, Calm and Stop, Breathe & Think. This has provided people with a way to help manage their own mental health conditions on a daily basis, such as anxiety and depression. Businesses can also employ different technologies to help address workplace stress. Together, let’s take a deeper look at that below…