It is a good point to speak publicly about these work-related vulnerabilities, whether they are psychological, cognitive, psychological or psychiatric. As described by Nasser Loza, president of the Welcome to the World Federation for Mental Health (WWFMH) network, this approach initially makes it possible to “destigmatize mental health” in the private or public sphere.
Gradually, this helps to reduce the fear of stares and judgment at school, with family, among friends or even at work. Thanks to better acceptance of their fragility, patients and loved ones will be able to live better with the illness on a daily basis, and thus “preserve healthy social relationships”.
Employees experiencing mental suffering?
Contrary to popular belief, mental damage will not only weaken the brain. The body as a whole will also be able to suffer, whether it is cardiovascular, respiratory or digestive health, the deterioration of the quality of sleep or the resistance of the immune system for example.
Thus, “mental suffering will promote poor physical health and reduce life expectancy”. A significant impact as the figures for suffering at work are on the rise.
According to an OpinionWay* survey conducted for Psychodon**, “81% of employees surveyed say they suffer from mental fatigue due to the demands and pressures of their work, including 14% frequently”. In detail, “1 employee in 6 declares being followed by a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a psychotherapist, i.e. 17% of them. An increase of 5 points compared to 2022.”
How do companies react to this malaise?
“Previously ignored, the mental health of employees in their work environment has become in recent years, and especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, a concern for companies,” describe the authors of the barometer.
“In 2023, 36% of them offer resources to promote the well-being of their employees compared to only 30% in 2022. Employees are also increasingly inclined to use these measures: 17% in 2023 (i.e. 1 in 6 employees) compared to 10% in 2022.”
Train yourself in first aid… mental gestures
To prevent and support this suffering, training in First Aid in Mental Health (PSSM) is starting to become known. To date, 70,124 first aiders have been trained there, or 0.3% of the active French population.
There is still a way to go to raise awareness among all about supporting people in situations of mental or psychological vulnerability. According to the same OpinionWay survey, “79% of employees find it useful that this training is provided by the company and 27% very useful”.
*Study carried out on a representative national sample of 1002 French employees from September 7 to 15, 2023
** “Created in 2017 by Didier Meillerand, the Psychodon, Acting for Mental Health, celebrates life with a mental disorder. Following the path shown by the Telethon or the Sidaction, it intends to give hope and dignity to the millions of people affected and their families through three main axes: research to improve diagnosis and treatments, support for those affected and caregivers and the prevention of psychological disorders in the territories, specifically among young people”
2023-11-01 18:02:51
#Health #Work #mental #health #French #employees #good
