It’s no mystery work plays a primary role in our lives. According to the United Nations’ International Labour Organization, Americans work 137 hours more than Japanese workers, 260 more hours than British workers, and 499 more hours than French Workers.

“What do you do?” has become the gold-standard of introductory questions when meeting someone new. We often conflate work with worth and perceive occupation as a primary determinant of social status. For example, when someone says they’re a doctor, our ears perk up!

While we’re quick to acknowledge that work is important, we often underestimate how closely it’s tied to our mental health and well-being. As a graduate student in clinical mental health counseling, I was surprised to see career development as a required course for my degree. Why would I need to know about helping people build resumes, write cover letters, or take career tests when my focus is on mental health counseling?

Then came the “Aha!” moment.  As I look back on the times in my adult life when I felt most vulnerable and in distress, job loss, dissatisfaction, or unhealthy working conditions were a consistent contributing factor. Whether it was fear of making it to the next paycheck, determining what I was supposed to do with my life, or being bullied by coworkers, work played a key role in my state of mind. I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. If work is a place where we fulfill social and personal needs, get our sense of personal identity and meaning, and have our financial needs met, then it’s no wonder our self-esteem and mental health unravels quickly when work situations go awry.

Enter COVID-19, one of the most impactful events in American history that’s affecting the work force, business, and economy on levels not seen since The Great Depression. In a recent report by McKinsey & Company, which focuses on women in the workplace in 2020, half of female employees said they consistently felt stressed at work over the past few months and close to a third reported feeling exhausted or burned out. Concerns about childcare, homeschooling, layoffs, and financial insecurity continue to loom over many Americans, and we know from multiple studies that high levels of career uncertainty and occupational dissatisfaction correlate with high levels of both psychological and physiological distress.

The good news is more and more companies and organizations are taking important steps to support employees during the pandemic. Many have pivoted to a work-from-home format, some are expanding access to mental health services and enrichment programs for employees, and others are training management on how to give proper support.

At Grant Halliburton Foundation, we’ve expanded our mental health programming to address these current issues and points of concern. Our new programs include:

• SAFE! Staying Mentally Well During Times of Crisis and Uncertainty
  This program highlights the essentials of mental wellness and helps foster strong coping skills for navigating the stress and distress of challenging times.

• The Cost of Silence: Stigma in the Workplace
  This program examines the impact of mental illness in the workplace and the benefits of implementing strategies that support the mental health of those living with depression, anxiety, and other disorders.

If work related stress is affecting your mental health during this difficult time, it’s never too late to reach out and get support. If you’re in a position of leadership, now is a great time to get creative and seek out ways to address core challenges your employees and community are facing.

Grant Halliburton Foundation can help. Our Here for Texas Mental Health Navigation Line is a free service where you can speak to a trained mental health navigator for guidance, information, resources, and support for mental health and addiction issues. Call for yourself or someone you know at 972-525-8181, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Se habla Espanol.

These are difficult times for so many, but here’s the thing to remember: We are all in this together. And we will get through it together.

By Stephanie Avery
Manager of Outreach and Education