SkillUp’s Workplace Mental Health Resources

Your Career and Mental Health

When you think of your mental health, you may consider family history, different diagnoses, or significant moments of change or trauma in your life. However, your career and other topics surrounding employment can affect your mental health as well, causing anxiety, stress, depression, and even burnout.

It’s important to keep in mind that such mental health experiences differ depending on if they are states or traits. It’s common for people to experience a state of anxiety, stress, or even low feelings from time to time. However, your struggles may not be a fleeting emotional state but rather a trait or disorder of your brain and body. If you suspect that you may have a mental health disorder, seek professional diagnosis and treatment.

Career Anxiety

Whether the economy is acting unpredictably, a recession is in the forecast, or your specific company isn’t meeting quarterly goals, anxiety is a common feeling in the workplace. Anxiety refers to an experience of apprehension or worry, often in response to a threat that may be vague or uncertain.

Workplaces are full of uncertainties that may threaten your career goals: unsatisfied clients, concerned investors, layoff rumors, disrupted supply chains, grim economic projections, increased employee turnover, and more. However, anxiety doesn’t have to be a permanent state of mind in the workplace if you have relevant coping skills and sufficient support.

Stress in the Workplace

Stress is a normal bodily response to change that can occur during both positive and negative parts of life. At work, experiencing stress doesn’t necessarily mean your job is “bad” or unhealthy. External stressors are unavoidable, such as upcoming deadlines, sitting in traffic, or having a difficult conversation with a coworker. However, when stress becomes unmanageable or disruptive to your daily life, it may be time to seek additional support.

Feeling Depressed at Work

Contrary to popular belief, depression isn’t just feelings of sadness. It often includes feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and despair. These emotions may prevent you from engaging in your daily life—including work.

If you find yourself feeling depressed at work, know that you are not alone. Depression often creates the impression that tomorrow will be the same as today—that is, nothing will change for the better. If your feelings of depression are due to a clear external trigger—getting passed up for a promotion, for example, or missing out on a big client contract—action and change can help shake off those feelings of hopelessness. Set goals, identify growth opportunities, and consider new job opportunities entirely if your current position has stagnated.

However, if your feelings of depression are the result of a mental health condition, changes in behavior or attitude likely won’t make much of an impact. Seek treatment from a mental health professional to improve your mood for your own personal well-being as well as your professional career.

Burnout

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines burnout as an experience “resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” If you experience workplace stress, anxiety, and/or depression over long periods, you may end up suffering from burnout.

Burnout can result in not just the deterioration of your mental health, but also the collapse of your physical health. It can lead to struggles with exhaustion, muscle tension, and addiction. Since burnout is correlated strongly with workplace stress in particular, it’s important to prioritize your mental health as you pursue your career.

Find Hundreds of Workplace Mental Health Resources

At SkillUp, we’ve collected several mental health resources to help people navigate free and low-cost support systems:

• 13 Mental Health Resources That Are Absolutely Free: Oprah shares health and wellness support to help you find community.
• 60 Digital Resources for Mental Health: Find blogs, phone hotlines, diagnostic tools, research portals, and more for addressing issues ranging from general mental illnesses to the specific needs of diverse populations.
• Neuro Wellness Spa: Peruse hundreds of blogs about mental health conditions, diagnoses, treatment, and more.
• Therapist Aid: Access worksheets, videos, guides, and articles to help manage your mental health.
• The Mighty: The Mighty is a safe, supportive community for people facing health challenges. The Mighty has different groups where you can connect with others who are facing mental health challenges and learn about what’s new in mental health.
• Psych2Go: This YouTube channel aims to bring educational information about psychology to all.
• 11 Best Therapists to Follow on TikTok: Social media platforms can be hit-or-miss when it comes to finding credible health information, but this list of therapists on TikTok provides links to creators with important insights and resources.
• How to Find Affordable Therapy: Learn strategies to find affordable therapy near you.

Make a Change

If your job causes or exacerbates your stress, anxiety, or depression, it’s important to know that it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right support, you can flourish in both your career and your mental health.

Sometimes, the best boost to your mental health in the workplace is a change in your career. If you want to work toward a healthier work/life balance, explore our career training programs designed to suit your lifestyle and goals today.