Five Things That Negatively Impact Mental Health in the Workplace

It’s not always easy to know when you’re in a toxic work environment. Some jobs seem fine when you first join, only for them to become hostile and exploitative over time. Others are obviously unhealthy from the start, and though you try to navigate the toxicity, you find yourself struggling more than you thought you would.

Regardless of the profession, at some point, you can expect to encounter behavior that negatively affects mental health in the workplace. As the saying goes, if you see something, say something. But first, you must be able to name what it is you’re seeing.

Five Things That Negatively Impact Mental Health in the Workplace 

1. When work is a gossipy environment
   It’s not strange for workplaces to have one or two people who seem to have all the information on everyone and who love sharing secrets. Some gossip feels exciting and harmless, but it can also be one of the worst things for mental health in the workplace.Gossip often becomes more than idle chit-chat. Information is currency, and the people who realize this use it to stir up drama, shift blame, and try to stay one step ahead of their peers. The leadership won’t always be aware that this is happening, but it’s ultimately up to them to do something about it.

2. Favoritism in the workplace
   Most work environments are competitive, and a bit of competition can be a healthy motivator. It’s only fair if the playing field is equal, though, and in a toxic workplace, it rarely is.If your efforts are going unrecognized, while other people are acknowledged and advancing before you, there is an issue with favoritism or even nepotism. One of the surest ways to destroy mental health in the workplace is to unfairly promote people who don’t deserve it. You might be waiting for your turn, but in the meantime, you’re being demoralized.

3. The atmosphere is always tense
   You can know that a workplace is toxic when you encounter a room full of adults who are afraid to speak up or be honest. There are some key indicators that this is a problem.If you find yourself staying silent when you would benefit from voicing your opinion, if you are constantly overthinking the smallest interaction with your boss or coworkers, or if you spend most of your time at work trying to stay out of sight, you are likely working for a bully. Over time, this will affect your mental health and degrade your self-confidence.

4. Workplaces where there is no accountability
   Everyone makes mistakes, regardless of their position or level of authority. Sometimes, though, it is only the people at the bottom who are held accountable for minor missteps, while the people at the top go unchallenged over worse behavior.People who use their authority as an excuse to get away with questionable decisions never change because they never admit to wrongdoing. Not only is it unjust, but it often means that innocent people will be hurt and take blame for someone else’s bad behavior.

5. You’re not valued as an individual
   Few things affect mental health in the workplace as negatively as when employees are treated like livestock. This can cause problems in your mental health.If there is no space for you to express your concerns and preferences, no one to reach out to for support when you need it, and if you are expected to push through all of your struggles without complaining, you are not being treated with respect. Even machinery is better looked after in a factory. Over time, this will affect your self-esteem because treatment like this is dehumanizing.

Greener Pastures

No job is worth the cost of your identity, your humanity, and your mental health. People don’t always have the luxury of choice when it comes to work, and the mounting pressure of life forces many to stay in toxic workplaces. Even if you don’t have a choice of where you can work, you can still prioritize your well-being at work.

You deserve to have healthy boundaries, to be heard, valued, and overall, to have dignity. If your current job doesn’t provide any of these things for you, consider that there might be a better one out there for you.

Consider Talking to Someone Outside of Work

If there are any aspects of your career or work experience that you would like to speak about with someone, we suggest that you find a counselor and regularly meet with them. We host an online catalog where we hope you can find someone appropriate. You can also speak with someone from our reception team who can help you find someone who is the right fit for you. You don’t have to struggle in silence.