How to Recognize Poor Mental Health

What is Mental Health and What are Symptoms of a Problem?

According to SAMHSA.gov, mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices.

Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood and behavior could be affected.

Mental Health Symptoms

Look out for these symptoms in yourself and others:

Headaches, backaches, stomach aches (not accounted for by a medical condition)
Negativity or cynicism
Difficulty setting limits or boundaries with time and resources
Negative feedback from people at home or at work
Difficulty concentrating or staying focused on tasks
Unusual levels of anger, frustration or resentment
Overindulgence related to food, spending, drugs or alcohol
Difficulty balancing work and family responsibilities

Read AHA Suicide Prevention Guide

Enhancing the Mental Health of Healthcare
Workers

chat, call or text 988 or text TALK or AYUDA to 741741.

VITAL WorkLife offers a suite of well-being solutions designed exclusively for healthcare teams. With almost
20 years of experience delivering sought-after solutions, we’re your expert guide to achieving greater
productivity, retention and greater work and life fulfillment for your care teams.

Explore the Possibilities

Legal Steps to Ensure Physician Confidentiality

The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act aims to prevent suicide, burnout and mental and
behavioral health conditions among health care professionals—all serious concerns that have been
intensified by the pandemic. The goal is to remove barriers to improving the mental health of healthcare
workers, such as stigma and fear of jeopardizing their career, for physicians seeking help.

Emotional Intelligence

How emotional intelligence goes hand-in-hand with mental health

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in maintaining good mental health. It enables people to understand and regulate their emotions, as well as perceive and respond to the emotions of others in a constructive manner.

By having a strong grasp of emotional intelligence, people can effectively manage stress, anxiety, and depression, which can significantly improve their overall well-being.

Additionally, emotional intelligence can enhance social relationships by enabling people to communicate effectively, empathize with others, and resolve conflicts favorably.

Ultimately, developing emotional intelligence can lead to greater success and fulfillment in both personal and professional aspects of life.

Read AHA Suicide Prevention Guide

The Importance of Mental Health for
Yourself and Others

For Yourself

Mental health is an essential aspect of overall health and well-being. It affects how we feel, think and behave, and influences our ability to handle stress, make decisions and form relationships.

Poor mental health of healthcare workers can have a profound impact on our daily lives, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression and even physical illness. It is crucial to prioritize mental health and seek support when needed to maintain a healthy and fulfilling life.

By taking care of our mental health, we can improve our quality of life, increase resilience and achieve our full potential. So, let's acknowledge the significance of mental health and take the necessary steps to support it.

For Others

Addressing your own mental health can have a positive impact not only on yourself but also on those around you. By openly discussing and prioritizing mental health, you can help break down the stigma that is often attached to mental illness.

When we talk openly about our struggles, we create a safe and supportive environment for others to do the same. This can lead to a more compassionate and understanding society, where seeking help for mental health issues is the norm rather than the exception.

By taking care of our own mental health, we become advocates for mental health awareness and promote a culture of acceptance and support. We can help eliminate the shame and discrimination that often prevent people from seeking the help they need.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Years of compounding stress have led many to a bend or breaking point–and leaving many to ask how we pick up the pieces.

For some, these difficulties have been traumatic. The trauma may be caused by one or more significant incidents that commonly lead to emotional or psychological duress, and for others the accumulated impact of these incidents. Experiencing trauma can lead to mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, as well as impacting their relationships at work and home. Some have been led to consider a career change as a way to avoid the difficult feelings associated with practice.

Post-traumatic growth is a theory that explains a kind of positive change after living through trauma. It was developed by psychologists Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD, in the mid-1990s, and holds that those who endure psychological struggle following adversity can actually see positive growth afterward. For many people who have survived a trauma they find positive changes such as a new appreciation for life, a newfound sense of personal strength and a new focus on helping others.

Spiritual Development

Contented "I accepted"

New Possibilities

Thriving "I dream"

Personal Strength

Optimistic "I can"

Close Relationships

Intimate "I cherish"

Greater Appreciation of Life

Grateful "I thank"

Impact on Mental Health of Healthcare Workers

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in maintaining good mental health. It enables individuals to understand and regulate their own emotions, as well as perceive and respond to the emotions of others in a constructive manner. By having a strong grasp of emotional intelligence, individuals can effectively manage stress, anxiety, and depression, which can significantly improve their overall well-being. Additionally, emotional intelligence can enhance social relationships by enabling individuals to communicate effectively, empathize with others, and resolve conflicts in a positive manner. Ultimately, developing emotional intelligence can lead to greater success and fulfillment in both personal and professional aspects of life.

Positive Impacts

Post-traumatic growth has been found to have several positive impacts on the mental health of healthcare workers.
Those who have experienced trauma and undergone PTG often report a sense of increased resilience and personal
strength. This newfound strength helps them to cope better with future challenges and reduces the likelihood of
developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
By focusing on these positive changes, those who have experienced trauma can find new meaning and purpose in
their lives, leading to better mental health outcomes.

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Supporting the Mental Health of
Healthcare Workers in the Workplace

Actionable Insights for Employers

Recognizing an employee suffering from a mental health disorder can be difficult, especially given
the absence of physical or visual symptoms. In most cases you might not notice a concern until an
employee exhibits problems focusing and their productivity starts to suffer. If you do spot signs
early, you may be able to help an employee seek support and avoid disability leave.
In addition to the resources available to all employees and family members, VITAL WorkLife offers
resources to assist managers and supervisors in their role, including a Resource Site which
includes training and educational tools, engagement kits, program information and more.
Managers and supervisors can also speak with one of our senior consultants for expert advice to
address concerns or issues.

Stigma for Physicians

Stigma surrounding the mental health of healthcare workers can be especially challenging for physicians who seek support. The very nature of their profession, which requires them to constantly care for others, can make it difficult for them to prioritize their own well-being. This can lead to feelings of guilt or shame, making it even harder to seek help. There is a fear of being seen as weak or incompetent by colleagues or patients, which can further discourage physicians from seeking the support they need. and as if that is not enough, there is also the fear of undue repercussions to their medical license.

Despite these challenges, it's important for physicians to prioritize their mental health, and to know that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Learn More About Physician Stigma

Mental Health Stigma

It’s difficult to reach out for mental health support.

Internal Barriers

Internal barriers to mental health can be just as challenging as external ones. These barriers are often deeply rooted in a person's psyche and can be difficult to identify and overcome.

Some common internal barriers include:

These barriers can prevent individuals from seeking help or engaging in self-care activities that promote mental wellness.

Overcoming these internal barriers requires self-reflection, positive self-talk and a willingness to seek support from trusted individuals or mental health professionals. It's important to acknowledge and address these barriers in order to prioritize your mental health and well-being.

Organizational Barriers

Mental health is an essential aspect of overall well-being, yet many organizations fail to prioritize the mental well-being of their employees. Organizational barriers to mental health can manifest in various ways, such as:

a lack of resources to support the mental health of healthcare workers,
stigmatization of mental health issues and
a culture that prioritizes productivity over self-care.

These barriers can prevent individuals from seeking help or support when they need it most, leading to increased stress, burnout, and even more severe mental health concerns.

As such, it is crucial for organizations to recognize and address these barriers to ensure that their employees can maintain good mental health and thrive both in and outside of the workplace.

Systemic Barriers

Systemic barriers to mental health refer to the societal and institutional structures that hinder individuals from accessing adequate mental health support and resources. These barriers can include:

lack of affordable and accessible mental health services,
social stigma and discrimination,
inadequate insurance coverage and
a shortage of mental health professionals in certain areas.

These systemic issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities, such as low-income individuals, people of color and those living in rural areas. Addressing these barriers is crucial in promoting mental health equity for all individuals.

Ideas for Involvement

There are numerous ways that employers can support mental health in the workplace. One of the most important is to create a culture of openness and acceptance around mental health issues, so that employees feel comfortable discussing any concerns they may have. This can be achieved through training and educational programs for managers and supervisors, as well as through regular communication with employees about mental health resources and support.

Employers can also provide access to mental health services, such as counseling or therapy, through an employee assistance program. In addition, offering flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flexible scheduling, can help employees manage their mental health by reducing stress and allowing them to better balance work and personal responsibilities.

Employers can promote mental well-being by encouraging healthy habits and offering well-being programs and incentives to create a more positive and productive workplace.

"Regular mental health checks are important because many of the symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders come on so gradually that you might not be aware how much the condition is affecting your daily life."

Liz Ferron,

Senior Consultant, VITAL WorkLife

“The performance of the physician was substantially improved—increasing productivity and easing tension among team members. Additionally, we were able to retain a valuable employee and avoid the high costs of recruitment and loss of productivity.”

Sal Mancino

Vice President of Human Resources, Stamford Health

Mental Health for Those in Healthcare