There was a time, not so long ago, that any mention of being ‘depressed’ or ‘anxious’ in the workplace would cause employers to consider removing the affected employee from their role or placing them on ‘special projects’. They would be dubbed as a ‘liability’, seen as an unreliable element, and thus consequently let go, without any consideration around how this might impact their mental wellbeing.

In some cases, directors and managers would regularly demean their workers with verbal abuse, chastising them and making them feel small, in order to elicit improved performance. Needless to say, this kind of treatment had a negative impact on their mental health as well. For many, and for some time, this was the norm.

Of course, in 2022, this kind of treatment is rarely seen in the workplace. Much progress has been made, with the growth of EAP (Employee Assistance Programmes) and overall increased discourse around mental health. However, there still remains a considerable problem around the visibility of mental health issues in the workplace. Employers still fail to recognise the intricacies of problems like depression, anxiety, addiction, low self-esteem, or bereavement, and workers experiencing these problems are often left feeling like they’re alone with their thoughts and feelings.

As a counsellor in Epsom, Surrey, and online, I have seen a number of clients struggle with the relationship between their work and mental health. There are so many unique challenges involved, whether you’re at home or in the office, that frequently go unrecognised. This blog post walks you through some of them.

The Office

Prior to March 2020, it was accepted that people commuted to a specific location for work. However, after the pandemic, many have struggled to return to that rhythm of travelling to an office every day. After such a prolonged period of not being able to visit the office, it is natural for some to experience anxiety around going back. It may be too stressful, taking up valuable time that could be spent on childcare or other commitments. And if someone is having difficulties with their mental wellbeing, the office generally doesn’t feel like a place where they can be honest about it, which only makes the issue worse.

Working From Home

While some individuals may have dreaded a return to the office, others may wish they could go back to the office more than anything, and despise the prospect of working remotely indefinitely - as is the case with many people and their jobs since March 2022. There are a number of obstacles involved with working from home. The main issue, as anyone who does it will tell you, is the sense of isolation one feels particularly after being isolated during the pandemic. If you had a problem in the past, you could always lean over and ask someone to help out. This doesn’t feel as possible when it’s just you and your laptop. There is a real sense of loneliness that comes with working from home, which can exacerbate existing mental health issues, and employers usually have no idea that this is happening.

If you are struggling with any issues around the workplace and want a safe, confidential space to talk them through, I am here to offer personalised counselling in Epsom, Surrey, and online. Please do get in touch at any time.