A recent study has found that addressing mental health problems in the workplace can significantly boost productivity. The research, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, was led by Dr. Michael F. Hilton from The University of Queensland and involved data from over 60,000 Australian workers.
The study shows that employees without mental health issues are the most productive. These workers scored low on a psychological distress scale, indicating they were free from symptoms. On the other hand, employees with mental health problems who were undergoing treatment initially showed lower productivity. However, as their treatment reduced symptoms, their productivity improved to nearly normal levels.
Researchers suggest that when employees first begin treatment for mental health problems, their productivity may drop. This could be due to the need for time off for appointments or the advice to work fewer hours. But once the symptoms improve, their productivity returns to almost the same level as workers without mental health issues.
Interestingly, workers with mental health problems who were not receiving treatment showed productivity levels similar to those without mental health concerns. The researchers believe these workers may have been compensating for their distress by working longer hours or putting in extra effort.
Previous studies have revealed that mental health issues are common among workers, but treatment rates remain low. Effective treatment for mental health problems can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, which in turn can increase workplace productivity. Mental health issues are linked to billions of dollars in lost productivity annually in the U.S.
This new study strengthens the case for supporting employee mental health in the workplace. Dr. Hilton and his team conclude that addressing mental health issues can lead to improved productivity and provide a positive return on investment for employers. However, they also note that employers may need to give treatment time to take effect before seeing the benefits in productivity.
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