October, Mental Health Awareness Month, draws attention to employees’ mental well-being, which is vital for any business. Recent research found that a work-related sedentary lifestyle has consequences not only for workers’ physical health, but can be harmful to their psyche as well. If we combine that lifestyle with excessively high social expectations and constant productivity demand, we can understand why mental health issues in the workplace are quickly becoming a common phenomenon. To fix the current situation companies should better prioritize employees’ mental well-being and make mental health in the workplace a top priority.
Working together with experts
We can be there, listen, and offer our support. But sometimes wanting to help is not enough. When life, responsibilities, and society get too much to handle, professional help is needed. This is why our HR department looked for partners to whom our employees could turn when they need help.
As of 1 October, birkle IT Estonia started working with a platform called MinuDoc. The platform gives every employee (including remote workers) easy and quick access to the right mental health professional, be it a psychologist, consultant, coach, or more.
In mid-October, birkle IT AG started working with LIKEMINDED. The platform offers employees webinars on mental health, group seminars led by experienced experts. In addition, it provides 1:1 sessions via video with qualified psychologists to go deeper into individual topics.
We aim to continuously promote diversity and equal opportunities among our clients, partners, employees, and candidates. Hence, birkle IT Estonia made the value-based step and signed the Estonian Diversity Charter on the 4th of November 2020.
We also need to help ourselves
Personal growth starts when we step out of our comfort zone. However, it is well known that the first step is always the hardest. In this case, it may be better to seek professional help, whether that means treating depression, anxiety, and other conditions that are interfering with our lives, or overcoming short-term problems.
There is a saying that if you don’t take care of yourself first, nobody else will. It is true, the change starts from within. The company can offer psychological assistance programs. It’s up to every individual whether to take this opportunity or not. So we invite all our employees and anyone else who has the opportunity. Always use the opportunities you are given. Sometimes talking to an expert can resolve something deep beneath the layers that have been waiting there for years. This can open new doors that can lead us to a happier and more fulfilling work and personal life.
