{"id":16528,"date":"2025-01-14T09:19:53","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T09:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gzjyws.com\/?p=16528"},"modified":"2025-01-14T09:19:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T09:19:53","slug":"finding-balance-in-the-workplace-prioritising-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gzjyws.com\/zh-hans\/finding-balance-in-the-workplace-prioritising-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding balance in the workplace: Prioritising mental health"},"content":{"rendered":"
Does the responsibility of mental health fall solely on an individual or do organisations hold a responsibility too?<\/span><\/p>\n These days, there is a lot of discussion surrounding various self-care techniques that we might use in our daily lives, but the context in which these techniques are presented is frequently incorrect. From schools to businesses, we must instil a culture of well-being at every level. Furthermore, it’s been observed that our mental health is at its worst as the winter holiday season comes to an end and the new year begins. According to reports, the third Monday of January is referred to as Blue Monday<\/em> since it is the most stressful day of the year. In fact, January is frequently referred to as one of the most depressing months of the year (January Blues<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n With 15%<\/a> of working-age adults facing mental illness and 1 in 3<\/a> struggling with work-related stress, the challenge goes beyond individual actions. It\u2019s also reasonable to suggest that organisations need to take charge, especially when 12 billion<\/a> workdays are lost annually due to anxiety and depression.<\/span><\/p>\n This impact is clear\u2014mental health issues often lead to chronic conditions like insomnia, affecting 50% to 80%<\/a> of those with mental health disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n In recent years we can see that the shift is underway. Companies that prioritise their people are 1.5 times<\/a> more likely to maintain high performance, according to McKinsey. It’s time to put people first.<\/span><\/p>\n A regional challenge<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to understand that companies with high psychological safety see 27%<\/a> lower turnover, 76%<\/a> more engagement, and 50%<\/a> higher productivity. So both for employees and an employer, mental-wellbeing should be a priority.<\/span><\/p>\n The UAE is also addressing mental health in the workplace with the Federal Mental Health Law (May 2024), protecting employees with psychiatric conditions from unfair termination unless approved by a specialised medical committee.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite growing awareness, mental health remains a taboo in many organisations, often brushed aside as a private matter that employees should manage alone. Management often focuses on productivity, leaving mental well-being overlooked, which can erode morale, engagement, and performance.<\/span><\/p>\n GMG’s commitment to well-being<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n So how do we at GMG support our colleagues?<\/span><\/p>\n We believe that true well-being encompasses more than just physical health\u2014it extends to mental and emotional health as well. This holistic understanding is the foundation of our GMG Cares CSR<\/a> programme, which was launched earlier this year and focuses on employee well-being as one of its key pillars. We recognise that work-related stress can have far-reaching impacts, and are taking the first steps towards creating a workplace culture where our employees feel seen and supported.<\/span><\/p>\n In 2024, we set up and introduced wellness circles, a first-of-its-kind digital community within GMG. The circle offers employees a platform to discuss topics such as mental health and wellbeing, work-life balance, and stress management. It\u2019s a space where team members can share resources while supporting each other through everyday challenges. Supply Chain Executive Lobna Moselhy, an active participant in this circle, shares: \u201cEmbracing diversity and a positive mindset in our professional lives allows us to build a more inclusive and supportive workplace for everyone.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Further amplifying our commitment to employee wellness, GMG Cares also introduced EmpowHer circles. Designed specifically for our female employees, these circles take place in-person, and allow women to discuss challenges, seek advice, and support each other in both their personal and professional growth. EmpowHer circles have grown in popularity and we are proud that we now have circles across multiple markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and India.<\/span><\/p>\n “Building supportive communities at work\u2014like our wellness and EmpowHer circles\u2014<\/em>is a powerful way for<\/em> employees to connect, share, and grow both personally and professionally<\/em>, creating an inclusive workplace<\/em>.<\/em> \u2013 Anna Sadeghpour, CSR Manager for MENA.<\/span><\/p>\n Managing mental health in the workplace: Practical tips<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Educating the workforce<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Change begins from the top. Train leaders to recognise signs of stress and mental health challenges and to respond with empathy. Managers should be equipped to help their teams maintain a healthy work-life balance, while also leading by example. When leaders demonstrate healthy work habits\u2014such as setting boundaries, taking breaks, and discussing their own mental well-being openly\u2014they create a culture where employees feel more comfortable doing the same.<\/span><\/p>\n Regularly address mental health in communications, meetings, and training to normalise these conversations, making it easier for employees to seek support. At GMG, we\u2019re working on \u2018learning bites\u2019\u20141-minute videos designed for quick insights, including a segment on \u201cbullying.\u201d Additionally, our Learning Management System (LMS) includes a \u2018well-being\u2019 module in our learning paths to reinforce this commitment. Moreover, providing resources like an ethics helpline ensures that employees can voice concerns or report issues without fear of retaliation. Taking such proactive measures encourages employees to speak up, thereby fostering a safe environment for open communication.<\/span><\/p>\n Re-evaluate, assess, and act<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Everyone is an individual.<\/span><\/p>\n While collectively we can support our colleagues, there are certain things that the employee also needs to understood. Work environment can feel overwhelming, so it\u2019s essential to assess situations objectively.<\/span><\/p>\n Ask yourself: \u201cIs this feedback a personal attack, or is it intended to help me grow?\u201d Employees can foster stronger working relationships by separating personal emotions from professional feedback.<\/span><\/p>\n Create healthy outlets outside work<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Constant availability leads to burnout. While being dependable is important, setting healthy boundaries and making time for activities outside of work is key for mental health. It\u2019s easy to get stuck in the work-dinner-repeat cycle, but it only leads to exhaustion.<\/span><\/p>\n Harvard Medical research emphasises that hobbies like arts, gardening, and volunteering boost mental health through creative engagement and relaxation. Exercise also reduces stress and boosts mood by increasing endorphins.<\/span><\/p>\n Through GMG Cares<\/a>, we offer structured sports programmes for employees, encouraging them to prioritise sports after work.<\/span><\/p>\n As our GMG Cares programme continues to build on our mental health initiatives and offerings, we aim to create a thriving community where everyone can bring their best selves to work.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Does the responsibility of mental health fall solely on an individual or do organisations hold a responsibility too? These days, there is a lot of discussion surrounding various self-care techniques that we might use in our daily lives, but the context in which these techniques are presented is frequently incorrect. From schools to businesses, we… Continue reading Finding balance in the workplace: Prioritising mental health<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":16529,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[419],"tags":[72,74,296],"class_list":["post-16528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories-from-the-inside","tag-well-being","tag-people","tag-sustainability","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n