faith in action

Reflect on your workplace this World Mental Health Day.

This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is mental health in the workplace. So, one thing you can do today is to spend some time thinking about workplaces and their impact on mental health — both yours and others’.


World Mental Health Day

Mental health is a vital aspect of our overall health. “Health,” The United Methodist Church says, “is a condition of physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being.” (Social Principles, ¶162.V)

The church also points out that, “John Wesley and the founders of The United Methodist Church practiced a faith grounded in the redemptive ministry of Jesus Christ, with a focus on healing the whole person: physical, spiritual, emotional and mental.” (Book of Resolutions, 3303)

Without mental health, one cannot have the abundant life God desires for us. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

We need legislation to provide more resources for people with mental illnesses, and we need research to learn more about the biochemistry behind many mental illnesses. We also need healthy workplaces.

The theme for this year is mental health in the workplace. That makes a lot of sense because many of us spend a significant part of our awake time at work.

What’s your workplace like?

As you reflect on World Mental Health Day, ponder your workplace.

A recent article in Forbes identified several signs of a toxic work environment. These include:

  • Narcissistic bosses who believe they can do no wrong.
  • A culture of complaining by employees.
  • A lack of clarity about expectations.
  • Supervisors who inconsistently apply office rules.
  • Employees who take a notably high number of sick days.

On the other hand, a healthy workplace is clear about what is required and works with each employee to seek both individual and corporate success. Affirmation of each employee and a valuing of what each person can do is likely a characteristic of healthy work environments.

One way to test to see if you have a toxic workplace is to ask, “Do I look forward to arriving at work? Or do I dread it?”

If you dread it, it’s worth spending some time sorting out why, and asking what you can do about it.

You can do something immediately by setting healthy boundaries. Clear personal boundaries are a sign of good mental health. If you find you’re working in a toxic office, you’ll want to create limits to keep this toxicity from intruding on the rest of your life. You’ll then, probably, want to find a healthier workplace.

The Rev. Dr. Jackson Day is chair of the Joint Committee on Clergy Medical Leave of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference.