Mental health and its impact on the world of work

Rebeca Calvo Barros, co-founder of Mentiness

Today we want to talk to you about a topic that's becoming increasingly important in the workplace: mental health . We know that the path of entrepreneurship is exciting, but also challenging at times. Stress, pressure, and long hours are part of the package, and it's easy to neglect our emotional well-being.

That's why, in collaboration with the startup Mentiness , we've created this blog for you. Its co-founder, Rebeca Calvo Barros , a general health psychologist, clinical neuropsychologist, and expert in emotional intelligence in business, shares her vision and experience on the importance of mental health in the workplace.

Mentiness is a people analytics and psychological well-being platform for companies that helps understand, predict, and reduce turnover and attrition by addressing their root causes. The platform also allows for the deployment of interventions such as an "awkward conversation simulator for managers" or a team of psychologists.

In this article, accompanied by Rebeca and her project, you'll discover why taking care of your mind is just as important as achieving your startup's goals, and how you can create a workspace where well-being is a priority.

If you want to learn how to balance your professional growth with taking care of your mental health (and that of your team), keep reading.

The backpack does not stay outside the office

Your alarm goes off and it's 7:00 a.m.

You wake up and your desk is still messy from "finishing a couple of things last minute yesterday." You take a quick shower and gather your things. You didn't have time to pack your lunchbox. So, you grab anything you need. Takeout coffee, a watch, and the rush in your backpack.

You slept poorly because the situation at home since your mother fell ill has you on edge. Then you write to Jose asking him to come and take care of her. 

Life doesn't last you long. Start your journey.

Every day you walk through the office door (whether virtual or real), there's a backpack that comes with you. A backpack ready to be either a hindrance or a boost to your motivation, productivity, and drive. Have you ever noticed it?

Far from the stigma

According to the World Health Organization ( WHO ), mental health is defined as " a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and contribute to his or her community."

When that balance is disrupted, the impact not only affects the individual, but also the work environment in which they operate. That's the burden you carry with you to work every day.

Tell me, how many times have you "broken" this definition in the last few months? And years?

A growing problem in companies

Mental health has become a global concern and, more specifically, a key issue for the business world. In Spain, for example, sick leave due to mental health issues, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, has become the leading cause of long-term sick leave. This represents not only a cost to companies in terms of productivity, but also a threat to the well-being of their employees.

One of the most visible problems is stress. A recent study reveals that 53% of workers report experiencing stress weekly , which directly affects their ability to concentrate, make decisions, and be efficient at work. This is due to the direct impact of high and sustained stress on areas of the brain such as the prefrontal lobe. This region is known as the "executive region" (something like the CEO of your brain), and in states of high and/or sustained stress, cortisol causes abilities such as decision-making, prioritizing, and attention to deteriorate. 

Would you say that a CEO who doesn't know how to prioritize, makes poor decisions, isn't attentive, and doesn't plan can be productive? The same is true for anyone under prolonged stress.

From the person to the climate and the company

The impact of poor mental health in the workplace is not limited to sick leave. Statistics show that turnover can increase up to fourfold in teams where stress and emotional distress levels are high. 

Furthermore, it has been observed that organizations with poor psychological well-being management can experience a worsening work environment up to three times. After all, mental health impacts the group and organization, not just the individual.

A call to action

Alleviating, mitigating, and preventing this impact isn't achieved in a single day or with isolated actions. It's not just about implementing isolated policies or offering perks like mindfulness classes. A comprehensive approach is needed that understands mental health as a strategic factor, linked to talent retention, productivity, and the company's competitiveness. Well-being isn't just a "nice to have"; it's a must.

Companies that want to survive and thrive in the future must start by lightening their employees' invisible burdens. And you, are you taking care of your team's mental health?

For all the above reasons, we invite you to try the Mentiness platform , through which you can monitor your team's mental health to prevent, improve, or intervene with data-driven actions, and analyze your startup's indicators with real-time data.