In the fast-paced world of career growth, the pursuit of success often comes with challenges that can impact mental well-being. Join us in this blog series, "Navigating the Maze," as we explore the delicate balance between climbing the career ladder and prioritizing mental health. Throughout the series, we'll feature insightful guest posts from mental health professionals, offering strategies to help you thrive in both aspects of your life.
"The Mental Health-Career Connection" Explore the intricate relationship between mental health and career success. Uncover how a sound mental state can contribute to professional achievements, and conversely, how workplace stressors can affect your mental well-being. Our guest mental health professional will provide expert insights into recognizing and addressing these connections.
In October 2022, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, released the office’s first-ever Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being.
The results of APA’s 2023 Work in America Survey confirmed that psychological well-being is a very high priority for workers themselves. Specifically:
- 92% of workers said it is very (57%) or somewhat (35%) important to them to work for an organization that values their emotional and psychological well-being.
- 92% said it is very (52%) or somewhat (40%) important to them to work for an organization that provides support for employee mental health.
- 95% said it is very (66%) or somewhat (29%) important to them to feel respected at work.
- 95% said it is very (61%) or somewhat (34%) important to them to work for an organization that respects the boundaries between work and nonwork time
Nearly one in five say they experience toxic workplaces
Fundamental to the surgeon general’s framework is the principle that employers should protect workers from toxic workplaces. Unfortunately, almost one out of five (19%) respondents in this survey stated that their workplace is very or somewhat toxic.
Prevalence of toxic workplaces varies by industry
People in client/customer/patient service were more likely than office workers to characterize their workplace as “toxic” (26% vs. 14%, respectively). Further, people who work in person were more likely to report a toxic workplace than those who work fully remote (22% vs. 13%, respectively).
Professions with high prevalence of mental illness/SI
- Veterinarians
- Emergency medical responders
- Construction workers
- Childcare workers
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Restaurant workers
- Humanitarian workers
- Lawyers
- Creatives
- Teachers
Experiencing a toxic workplace is associated with certain demographic and workplace factors
- More females (23%) reported a toxic workplace than males (15%).
- More people living with a disability (26%) reported a toxic workplace than those without a disability (16%).
- Employees working for nonprofit and government organizations were more likely to report a toxic workplace than those in private industry (25% and 26% vs. 17%).
Discrimination in the workplace is still common
More than one in five (22%) indicated witnessing discrimination in their current workplace and 15% reported experiencing discrimination. In addition, nearly one-third (28%) reported having witnessed slights, insults, or jokes that devalued the identity or negated the thoughts and feelings of others based on their identity or background. Further, 19% said they were targets of such behaviors.
Workplace loneliness is experienced by a meaningful percentage of workers: 26%
Too many workers experience a lack of respect for their time off
Mattering at work and meaningful work are associated with psychological well-being