Fostering Mental Wellnes for Improved Productivity at Workplace

A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body” or “Health is Wealth” is a globally accepted axiomatic statement. If a person cares for his physical as well as mental health, it is the best remedy to beat the crisis in a highly volatile world of today. A healthy mind and a healthy body are equally important for any human being to do his tasks meaningfully. Every organization must care for the mental health of its workforce and make every effort to nurture it. For, it enhances the productivity of both workers and their organization; and, in turn, the society.

Until recently, business houses had an exaggerated concern with physical fitness and health without realizing that ill-health on the mental front is equally important. For, it affects how employees think, feel and act. The well-being of an individual depends on physical fitness and mental balance. It enables him to perform to his potential. Employee mental health issues are global concerns.

The United Nations is observing “Mental Health Day” on 10 October annually. Mental Health in the Workplace was the latest theme under the initiative. Recent case studies carried out in our country have found that one out of every five employees is experiencing common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.

Coping with life

Depression gets in the way with a person's ability to complete physical job tasks and reduces his cognitive performance levels, which leads to friction and ill feeling amongst employees and poor relationships with customers, accentuating internal disciplinary issues.

Mental health is something we all possess. When it is good, we have a sense of purpose and direction and feel that we can cope with whatever life (and work) throws at us. As if physical health fluctuates, our mental health also goes through difficulties. Vicissitudes are a part of our life; and, mental health denotes our ability to deal with it.

Ancient scriptures pronounce that good health on the mental front is something God has gifted to us. When we enjoy good mental health, we have a sense of purpose and direction, the energy to do the tasks we want to do, and the ability to deal with the challenges that we face in daily life.