Mental illness in the work place

Hi everyone. I hope you’re having a great productive week.
The topic I’m going to be talking about today is a rather somber one: mental illness in the workplace.
Mental illness is a strictly taboo subject in the workplace, especially in the Middle East and the region. Employees are afraid of discussing this subject with co-workers and bosses. They don’t want to lose their jobs, damage relationships or risk future employers learning of illnesses and judging them. The stigma of mental illness keeps them silent.
In fact, stigma is the main reason why employees -and employers- choose to keep their lips sealed and their pain snuffed away.
People with mental illness usually exhibit several signs, including restlessness, low stamina, inability to handle multitasking and deadlines, limited interaction with employees, and low self esteem.
These are serious hindrances to productivity and contribution.
And here is where cowoking plays a part.
Studies have shown that individuals in coworking spaces display lower stress levels than those working corporate jobs. They feel more relaxed and in charge of their own time and tasks.
Here’s how coworking spaces exactly help employees manage stress:
Most coworking spaces tend to provide a form of “environmental screens” that shield the, from the noises outside. They offer instead a calm Zen-like environment that is somewhat detached from the world outside and allows plenty of relaxation.
Oh yeah- and the colorful furniture with its unique designs is also quite a moodbooster.
Supportive Environment
Coworking spaces are home to all sorts of people, from the geeky coder to the hustling CEO. There is a certain unity among all entrepreneurs working together, and providing an environment where they can blend in is crucial for people who fear anxiety and rejection.
Handling time pressures and multiple tasks
Nobody likes that authoritative boss who micromanages his employees and whips them to meet strict deadline. This has been shown to result in high levels of stress among employees, and managing one’s time has never been so crucial in this stage of our life.
Coworking spaces, on the other hand, are a good testing ground for one’s ability to manage themselves and prioritize their tasks with no pressure whatsoever.
And there you have it folks, a very engaging piece on a topic considered taboo in our society.
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