Managing Workplace Mental Health: Multiple Approaches at Patient, Provider, and Systems Levels

Across the globe, many adults spend most of their day and much of their lives at work. Worldwide, mental health disorders are a leading cause of disability, incurring huge costs. Poor workplace mental health invites a public health approach with interventions at patient, provider, and system levels. In addition to promulgating workplace standards, workplace interventions can include screening, general interventions aimed at all employees, and targeted interventions designed for managers/leaders or for ill employees. Screening employees can improve quality of life through early detection and connection with treatment. Universal work-based interventions – delivered to all employees regardless of symptoms or specific risk factors – feature improvement of the psychosocial work environment, stress management, work-related strain reduction, role-play, exercise and behavior modification, and mental illness stigma reduction. Training managers/leaders how to reduce risk factors and promote good mental health benefits all. Targeted work-based interventions – for employees at increased risk of illness, sick leave, or current distress – deliver resources to those who are struggling. Specific measures – accommodations – match the person’s capacity to the job, enhancing work performance or job reentry. Most developed countries have legislation to mandate disability rights and accommodations. The clinician treating a distressed worker must not only evaluate an individual, but also the workplace: acquiring a job description, clarifying essential tasks, and negotiating workplace accommodations. Intervening at the workplace (at the employee or leadership level) reaches individuals where they are, bypasses care access issues, and significantly lowers costs by reducing presenteeism, absenteeism, early retirement, and healthcare utilization.