Work takes up a large part of our lives and can be a source of both strength and exhaustion. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), decent work supports mental health by providing a livelihood, a sense of purpose, positive relationships and a daily routine.
The scale of the issue
The WHO reports that 16% of working-age adults experienced a mental disorder in 2023. About 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, costing roughly US$1 trillion in lost productivity.
What raises stress at work
The WHO lists these psychosocial risks:
- excessive workload and little control over your job;
- discrimination, violence, harassment or bullying;
- job insecurity and inadequate pay;
- conflict between work and personal life.
Many of these are organisational rather than personal. A difficult workload is not always a sign that you are failing to cope.
What helps
At the organisational level the WHO points to flexible working arrangements, training…