Mental health care must occur in all aspects of society, including the workplace. The Market Corporate Wellbeing Index (IBC) survey, conducted by Zenklub, analyzed emotional well-being in 13 sectors during the first half of 2023 and none reached the ideal minimum index required by the study during this period.
According to another survey conducted by Vittude, a network specializing in mental health in Brazil, 33% of employees evaluated presented some type of mental disorder at severe or extremely severe levels. The pathologies considered in the study include anxiety, depression and stress.
“The old idea of romanticizing the workaholicthat the more you work, the more chances you have of receiving recognition, not respecting your own limits (or not even recognizing them) also contributes to exhaustion”, explains Ana Tomazelli, psychoanalyst and CEO of Ipefem (Institute for Research & Studies of Feminine and of Multiple Existences).
However, according to the expert, it is “unfair to attribute individual responsibilities when the problem is systemic and when the fear of losing the source of income is greater than the courage to preserve it. On the other hand, expecting the system to change, in the short term, is almost naive on our part, which brings us back to the most private spheres”.
Overwork and cases of burnout
The report of International Stress Management Association (ISMA) reveals that Brazil is in second place in number of cases of burnoutbeing surpassed only by Japan, where 70% of the population is affected by the problem.
“People develop symptoms and illnesses that, together, can be read as burnout. For this reason, the cause of the syndrome will not always be directly recognized. There are some variables responsible for professionals becoming ill, such as a leader who commits harassment, colleagues who practice bullying, corporate culture of performance with hard and inflexible goals, among other points that may be difficult to take to court”, explains specialist Ana Tomazelli.
Impact of the syndrome on issues of race and gender
Furthermore, it is worth highlighting that racial and gender issues are aggravating in this context. A survey carried out by the University of Georgia showed that 70% of female executives interviewed felt like a fraud at work. According to another study carried out by management consultancy KPMG, the syndrome undermines the confidence of 75% of women in the market.
“Excessive working hours, gender discrimination and domestic overload are some of the causes of mental illness among Brazilian women in their work environments”, highlights Jhenyffer Coutinho, CEO and co-founder of the startup Plure, a job portal in Brazil focusing on women plurals.
For the founder of Instituto Mulheres do Imobiliário, Elisa Rosenthal, diversity and inclusion are important for the current market, but they also have a significant impact on the future. “As the population continues to grow and change, and consumer and employee expectations evolve, companies that cannot keep up with these changes risk losing competitiveness and relevance,” she warns.
Benefits of promoting well-being at work
Law 14,831/2024 was recently sanctioned, which establishes the Mental Health Promoting Company Certificate in the workplace. This legislation establishes clear guidelines for organizations how to implement mental health, preventing discrimination and harassment and encouraging work-life balance. By adopting such measures, companies not only comply with legal obligations, but also promote a healthier and more productive environment for their employees.
For Jhenyffer Coutinho, the implementation of the law brings a series of tangible benefits for companies. “By investing in the mental health of their employees, organizations can reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and improve the organizational climate. In addition to promoting an inclusive and welcoming work environment, it contributes to attracting and retaining talent and strengthens the company’s image in the market”, he comments.
The adoption of this legislation not only positively impacts employee well-being, but also brings competitive and sustainable advantages to organizations in the long term. By prioritizing this fundamental aspect, organizations not only strengthen their teams, but also build a more resilient and humanized business culture, prepared for the challenges of the contemporary world.
Promoting mental health in the company
Legal support has already occurred and Law 14,831/2024 has been validated. Now, leaders need to think about actions aimed at the mental health of employees throughout the year. To achieve this, it is worth adopting some attitudes, such as:
1. Promote a safe space for dialogue
A survey carried out by the Women’s Studies Research Institute (Ipefem), with more than 200 participants, shows that only 37% of professionals feel completely safe to disagree with their leadership in the Desktop. 63% expressed some reservations or fear of taking a stand when they disagree with the leadership. “These numbers reflect the psychological insecurity of corporate environments, considering that psychological security should not be something negotiable”, says Ana Tomazelli.
two. Establish a safe and healthy environment
The World Health Organization points out that safe and healthy working environments are a fundamental right for everyone. When companies welcome their workers, they are more likely to improve performance and productivity, as well as minimizing internal tensions and conflicts that can impact mental health.
3. Encourage actions to combat harassment
Physical, psychological or moral harassment at work violates human rights and harms mental and physical health. It is the company’s obligation to detect and seek solutions to this type of issue, combating the attitudes of leaders who commit harassment, colleagues who practice bullying, a corporate culture of performance with hard and inflexible goals, among other points.
4. Value diversity
According to Jhenyffer Coutinho, selection processes must take this into account, as well as when hiring and retaining talent. From the moment the picture is more diverseit is also necessary to guarantee the well-being of employees, raising awareness among leaders and teams to combat unconscious bias.
5. Improve employees’ quality of life
Increasingly, employees are looking for much more than just good salaries, and want to be in a company that is aligned with their ideals, that provides an environment conducive to their development, new learning and that is open to dialogue.
Whether working in person or remotely, the company must care about the employee and promote their satisfaction, offering adequate working conditions and necessary equipment, which also leads to increased productivity.
“Leaderships need to think about actions aimed at mental health of your employees throughout the year, and not just on specific dates. Each employee is unique and needs to be treated according to their life experiences and individuality”, concludes Ana Tomazelli.
By Letícia Carvalho
