Wednesday, 30 May 2012


Stress Management, Happiness & The Taboo of Mental Health at Work
- Guest post by Mark Walsh of Integration Training

There are lots of way of talking about people being unhappy and suffering from mental health issues at work...except sometimes there isn’t. I work in the field of leadership, resilience and stress management training and it has become obvious to me that many organisations have a problem talking about vital staff welfare issues.

Stress Management Taboos
“Stress” is a relatively acceptable corporate word for suffering. The concept takes an integral psycho-social-cultural-organisational issue and makes it an individual matter. Someone is not overworked with an abusive manager in a horrible place, they are stressed and need to manage their stress, for example. On the positive side the idea of “stress management” (which was not in common usage until relatively recently) can allow people in the workplace to talk about mental distress in a relatively safe “scientific” way. There are still many organisations however where it is still taboo to discuss stress. Often people are trying to be something more than human, Superman or Wonder-woman perhaps, but end up creating an environment where people feel less than human. Denying stress exists doesn’t stop it destroying happiness, relationships and productivity. There are also organisations where “stress” has become a byword for other taboos - such as someone hating or being bad at their job, being bullied or working under unhealthy conditions of one kind or another.

Happiness Taboos
The common notion that we work for money not to be happy is odd and more than a little sick in my opinion. Why should this be the case? Well, the narrative that “you just have to work, so put up with...XYZ” is one that has been reinforced by people who do not care about employees’ happiness. Happiness itself has become something of a taboo 9-5 where it is considered largely irrelevant. Happily (excuse the pun), the positive psychology and conscious business movements have put happiness back on the agenda, showing how it is vital for productivity and creativity as well as the obvious ethical concern. This has led to a lean towards “happiness at work” and resilience trainings rather than stress management in recent years. Interestingly I have noticed that more men will sign up for a resilience training course (or even “mental toughness” course) than for stress management.

Mental Health Taboos
I am one of the teachers on the course 1 in 4 at Grassroots Training. This is the proportion of people who will suffer from a mental health problem in the UK in any one year, so mental health issues are far from rare! The most common ones are anxiety and depression, and addiction issues are also widespread if we class that as one too. Despite this mental health is still a massive taboo in most workplaces. If you break your arm or catch a virus and need time off work there would be no shame for most people, yet it is common to deny, hide and feel shame about mental health issues. Sadly, people that have mental health problems are often portrayed in the media as dangerous, pitiable or comical and these stereotypes are alive in many workplaces. In mental health awareness workshops when I describe how I once suffered from depression, substance misuse issues and PTSD, people often seem surprised that someone now extremely healthy and with a good business and relationship can have had this history. The taboos that exist around mental health issues at work are extremely damaging as may mean individuals are discriminated against illegally, bullied on top of their difficulties or do not seek appropriate support.  

Positive Steps
Here are some positive steps workplaces can take to reduce stigma in regard to these issues at work:

-  Acknowledge that such issues exist and start discussion and debate
-  Make the law on these issues widely known
-  Invest in mental health awareness and resilience and stress management training. Of course I’m biased and I do this work because I believe in it too.
-  Have someone responsible for these areas 
-  If you have had such issues and feel safe to, talk openly about them. It only takes one or two people to break a taboo and establish a new norm

Mark Walsh - Trainer Bio http://integrationtraining.co.uk
Mark Walsh leads business training providers Integration Training - based in Brighton, London and Birmingham UK and the Netherlands. Specialising in working with emotions, the body and spirituality at work they help organisations get more done without going insane (time and stress management training), coordinate action more effectively (team building and communication training) and help leaders build impact, influence and presence (management training). Clients include Unilever, the Sierra Leonian Army and the University of Sussex. He is the most followed trainer on Twitter and YouTube and has the Google no.2 ranked management training blog. Offline, Mark dances, meditates and practices martial arts. His ambition is to help make it OK to be a human being at work.  

44 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. This topic of Happiness & The Taboo of Mental Health at Work, is so reliable and well realistic for all the new genres but there are also very beneficial and effective assignment help UAE are always available in throughout UAE, regions easily.

      Delete
  2. You are doing a great job but the atmosphere should be clean then we will be able to make mental health better otherwise our efforts will be lost and we will not get success in our mission. Assignment writing services

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think stress is a major cause of depression and that eventually leads to suicide. I believe there is always a way to deal with stress. For a final semester student, dissertation stress can be managed with ease – all one has to do is Order Dissertation, and the stress is gone. Similarly, I believe there are ways to deal with stress at work as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Leave you all finances and money management stress on Quickbooks. Wait! What? Using old quicken? Just sit back and relax, now Quickbooks come with all new features of converting quicken to quickbooks

    ReplyDelete
  5. A prestigious accounting software, QuickBooks, has been designed to make the -flow of accounting painless and hassle-free. However, this software is also prone to technical issues
    quickbooks error code 6147

    ReplyDelete
  6. quickbooks error code 6210 0 is a basic 6000 series error. user try to access the data but can't do this. this error is also damage the file.

    ReplyDelete
  7. quickbooks install diagnostic tool will fix any to all issues with your QuickBooks inside twenty to thirty minutes. After the investigating is done, you need to restart your PC and check if the blunder is settled or not. On the off chance that you think that it is hard to fix your QuickBooks mistake, go ahead and connect with our help group.

    ReplyDelete
  8. quickbooks database server manager allows you to share your organization records with different PCs over your organization. It likewise assists you with observing your multi-client organization. At the point when you set up an organization, you need to have QuickBooks Database Server Manager running so clients can get to your organization documents

    ReplyDelete

  9. Thankyou for your remarkable posting i enjoyed a lot on reading your article which is very useful and unique if you like this click on quickbooks error #15215

    ReplyDelete
  10. quickbooks install diagnostic tool
    is a useful tool that helps QuickBooks desktop users to fix an assortment of issues related to multiple network and company file corruptions. This robust tool finds and fixes connection errors between QuickBooks, company files and the database manager

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thankyou for this wonderful post.
    If you are looking for software for your compay accounts, you will have two brand names, quicken vs quickbooks . You may be wondering. these applications are the most owned platforms in the financial management software market.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Are you checking for itemized data identified with quickbooks mistake then you can go through this article to have nitty gritty data in regards to quickbooks unexpected error 5

    If you want to resolve this go visit this site quickbooks unexpected error 5: A QBs Repairing Guide

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's a great article after having a lot of fatigue in office work these will be really helpful to control your work stress I am definitely going to recommend these tips to my friends also at competitive intelligence company and I am sure these tips will work for them also.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The best way for stress management is to manage your routine properly or take help for web development from native web studio as they are the best in providing the professional web development services.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Stress has become a major issue but the issue of having a professional laptop is not anymore as msi dubai is offering the best laptop in UAE at reasonable price.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Eat an even eating regimen, get sufficient rest, and exercise consistently. Participate The Online Clinic in self-unwinding. Attempt muscle unwinding, breathing or reflection works out, petition, yoga, or swimming to diminish pressure. Invest energy with nature or pay attention to calm music.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your blogs are great.Are you also searching for Cheap Nursing Writing Services? we are the best solution for you. We are best known for delivering nursing writing services to students without having to break the bank.whatsapp us:+1-(951)-468-9855

    ReplyDelete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I believe that stress is a big factor in depression, which ultimately results in suicide. I firmly believe that stress can always be managed. The tension of the assignment help in UK can be easily controlled by a student in their final semester; all they need to do is Order assignment. In a similar vein, I think there are strategies for managing stress at work.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for sharing your helpful insights with us!
    Regards: Senior Transition Services Dallas

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I appreciate you giving such lovely content. I learned something from your blog. Continue sharing.
    divorce new jersey

    ReplyDelete
  23. "One of the best ways to manage stress and improve happiness is to take breaks from work and school. This can be difficult, especially when you have a lot of cheap assignment writing service due, but it is important to make time for yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed, try taking a few minutes to relax and clear your head. You can do this by taking a walk, listening to music, or reading a book. Once you have had a chance to relax, you will be better able to focus on your work and assignments.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Do you require Term Paper Writing Help in the UAE? Contact us Online at Assignmenttask.com! We are the most famous writing company that provides Assignment Help UAE services for students on any topic from academic experts and tutors. We are always available on the internet via live chat. Get all Assessment Answers to questions.

    ReplyDelete
  25. QuickBooks Missing PDF Component error can prevent the software from generating important PDF files, but there are solutions available to diagnose and fix the root cause of the issue, allowing you to work seamlessly.Talk to experts at toll-free number +1-(855)-955-1942.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Addressing stress and mental health at work is paramount, and Microsoft 365 Services can play a vital role in promoting well-being. 🌟💼 With tools like Teams for seamless communication, OneDrive for easy access to resources, and Outlook for scheduling self-care breaks, Microsoft 365 helps create a supportive and balanced work environment.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Abogado de Accidentes de Motocicleta Virginia
    The review of "Stress Management, Happiness & The Taboo of Mental Health at Work" provides valuable insights into the content's relevance, organization, and effectiveness in addressing workplace issues related to stress, happiness, and mental health. The content discusses strategies for managing stress, happiness factors, the taboo of mental health, workplace culture, employee well-being, mental health resources, work-life balance, accessibility, stigma reduction, leadership responsibility, success stories, crisis response, empowerment and engagement, and the potential for positive change. The review emphasizes the importance of these topics in the workplace and the potential for positive change. The introduction sets the stage for discussing these critical topics, while the content organization is well-structured and easy to navigate. The content also explores the taboo surrounding mental health issues, workplace culture, employee well-being, mental health resources, work-life balance, accessibility, stigma reduction, leadership responsibility, success stories, crisis response, empowerment and engagement, and the concluding message. In conclusion, the review provides valuable insights into the content's quality and effectiveness in addressing workplace issues related to stress, happiness, and mental health. It also highlights the potential for positive change and the importance of addressing these issues in the workplace.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Manassas Traffic Lawyer
    The review praises the content for its comprehensive exploration of stress management, happiness, and mental health at work, emphasizing its relevance and timeliness in addressing workplace mental health challenges. It provides practical strategies, destigmatizes mental health discussions, and fosters an open environment for employees. The content empowers employees by addressing mental health, offering tools for self-awareness and resilience-building. It also provides valuable insights for employers and managers, aiding in the development of supportive workplace cultures.

    ReplyDelete
  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I can truly relate to this post, especially in the fast-paced, stress-filled world of today. The key to finding happiness is understanding how to handle stress. Adding mindfulness exercises to my daily regimen has really helped, I've discovered. It's amazing how, despite the fact that everyone experiences stress, it's a taboo subject. As an aside, don't be afraid to ask for assistance if you need it if you're struggling with your Finance Dissertation help. Getting help, from peers or experts, can help the process go much more smoothly, in my experience.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Removing a reckless driving charge from your record in Virginia can be challenging, but options may include seeking an expungement or pursuing a deferred disposition. Consult with a Virginia attorney familiar with traffic laws to explore potential avenues. Successful completion of driving improvement courses and maintaining a clean record might also be considered. Note that each case is unique, and legal advice specific to your situation is crucial for the best course of action to expunge or mitigate the impact of a reckless driving charge on your record.
    how to remove reckless driving from record in virginia

    ReplyDelete
  32. As a debut author in the US, I was overwhelmed by the publishing landscape. Book Publishing HQ came to the rescue! Their comprehensive services guided me through every step, from editing and design to marketing and distribution. My children's book wouldn't be a reality without their expertise.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I want appreciate Mark for his big efforts to stop suicide problems. Your mental coaching is much and much needed for the people suffering from stress. DUI Lawyer Fairfax

    ReplyDelete
  34. In Virginia, arranging custody, visitation, and child support during a divorce is a complicated process. Legal representation can guarantee that the procedure protects parental rights and obligations while attending to the child's best interests.
    divorce in virginia with child

    ReplyDelete
  35. A thought-provoking piece exploring the importance of stress management for happiness. The analogy of stress as a taboo subject resonates deeply. A must-read for anyone seeking to prioritize well-being!
    Uncontested Divorce Lawyer New York
    abogado delitos sexuales nueva jersey
    Mutual Protection Orders in New Jersey

    ReplyDelete
  36. Nice post.
    If you want to know about papeles de divorcio de nueva jersey
    kindly contact us.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Addressing stress management and happiness in the workplace is crucial, yet mental ||Middlesex County Trespassing Lawyer||Middlesex County Trespassing Attorney health remains a taboo topic in many organizations.

    ReplyDelete
  38. This enlightening workshop addressed the important but frequently disregarded relationship between workplace culture and mental health. It highlighted how crucial it is to manage stress, cultivate happiness, and dispel the stigma associated with talking about mental health issues at work. Attendees were inspired to prioritize well-being and create healthier work cultures via practical ideas and candid discussions.The general law in the USA is a complex and evolving system rooted in both federal and state jurisdictions. It encompasses a wide range of legal principles, including constitutional, statutory, and case law. The system aims to balance individual rights with public order and safety. While it provides a framework for justice and legal processes, its complexity and variation across states can pose challenges. The ongoing development of laws reflects societal changes and strives to address contemporary issues, maintaining a dynamic legal landscape.
    Reckless Driving in Virginia Points Lawyer Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney

    ReplyDelete
  39. Serapool swimming pool tile products ensure a flawless and elegant pool experience.

    ReplyDelete