As physical effects of pandemic ease, employers must address ongoing mental health impact
In building a successful return-to-work plan, leaders need to ask, how prevalent are behavioral health issues?
Although the number of COVID-19 cases continues to decline, the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of employees may continue after physical symptoms subside.
“Many ignore the long-term psychological damage wrought by a year of isolation and disruption of comforting social norms,” according to a new study about depression in the workplace from Catapult Health. “In fact, an American Psychiatric Association poll reported that 62% of Americans feel more anxious than they did in 2019. For leaders to optimally prepare for a post-COVID environment, they must consider both sides of the coin. This requires a deeper understanding of the complex nuances of mental health and building policies around clinical data and guidelines rather than a layman’s definition influenced by media.”
Related: Depression symptoms increased three-fold amid pandemic, study finds
The type of mental health challenges can vary, according to the National Institute of Mental Health:
- Occasional anxiety involves temporary worry or fear and is an expected part of life.
- Anxiety disorders are less common and more serious.
- Depression is a serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how people feel, think and handle normal daily activities, and can even lead to suicidal thoughts.
In building a successful return-to-work plan, leaders need to ask themselves, how prevalent are behavioral health issues among staff, and what are the implications for both individuals and the community at large?
The study found that rates of depression have increased in all segments of the population since 2018, especially among the least healthy and most overweight. There were consistent correlations between unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcohol abuse and depression. Demographically, there is a significantly higher rate of depression and suicidal ideation among the youngest patients, who are the least likely to be chronically ill.
“The COVID-19 pandemic did not create a mental health crisis; rather, circumstances forced many to confront one that was already well underway,” the study said. “The wider embrace of health and wellness does create an opportunity for American organizations to course-correct and take a more holistic approach to employee health.”
The authors of the study encourage employers to coordinate measures to bolster both the physical and mental health of workers as the workplace slowly returns to normal.
“This unique window, wherein leaders are hyper-focused on returning to a sense of normalcy and building back better, can lay a critical foundation for the long-term wellbeing of an employee community,” they said. “The dual emphasis on both mental and physical health will be the key differentiator in truly supporting their needs, inside and outside the office.”
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