The emergence of covid 19 has changed the way people work and do things. This has increased the risk of stress, anxiety, depression, isolation and burnout.

Mental health is one of those subjects given the least priority in the workplace and society. But it is an essential subject that if neglected can affect the well-being and productivity level of people.

The technology industry has always been known to be a fast-paced industry that requires hard work and genuine commitment. Today, a lot of these tech jobs are done remotely where tech professionals have to work and complete tasks in isolation. 

A report from AppDynamics stated that 8 out of 10 tech professionals indicated that their jobs have become more complex since the pandemic. In the same report, 89% of tech professionals reported that they feel immense pressure at work and 84% found difficulty switching off from work. 

What this means is that tech professionals have the tendency of working extra hours. The implication is that there is a reduction in the time they should use to rest or socialise. But sadly, this can increase the risk of mental health disorders.

Mental Health Facts

According to OSMI data:

This is why the subject of mental health in the tech industry should not be ignored. I will be sharing with you ways to tackle mental health problems in the tech industry.

3 Effective Ways to Tackle Mental Health Problems in the Tech Industry

If not handled properly, mental health issues can lead to lack of productivity, stress and burnout. Here are some effective ways to handle mental health issues in the tech environment.

1. Promote Work-Life Balance

It is important for tech companies and organisations to make work-life balance a priority in the work environment.

According to the Coping after Covid from Westfield Health report, 30% of tech professionals want more mental health support and long-term changes in the way they work. However, 59% of human resources leaders said they would like to be able to do more in terms of wellbeing, but company culture prevents it.

Since most of these tech employees are working remotely, the organisation can promote the employee's mental well-being by registering these employees in gyms that are close to where they reside. 

A study from the University of Bristol found that those who exercise daily were more likely to be more energised and have a more positive countenance compared to those who don’t exercise. And guess what, exercise helps to reduce the risk of mental health disorders.

Employees should also be encouraged to get enough rest. One of the major problems with a lot of tech professionals is that they barely have time to rest. Most of those I’ve conversed with said they have problems sleeping even at night. So you see these guys working in the daytime as well as at night. With this, they are able to complete more tasks but this can be harmful to their mental health. But it’s important to allow yourself to relax by taking a nap, you’d be surprised how good you’d feel mentally and physically when you wake up. 

Organisations can also give these tech professionals days off where they get to do other things outside work. They may decide to meet up with old friends or just do something fun. 

2. Leaders Should Show Empathy in the Work Environment

Empathy is an essential attribute of a healthy work environment. It can be practised by both employers and employees. 

According to Dr Tracy Brower, “As we go through tough times, struggle with burnout or find it challenging to find happiness at work, empathy can be a powerful antidote and contribute to positive experiences for individuals and teams.”

To promote the mental well-being of employees, employers have to be considerate to understand the needs, thoughts and feelings of their employees. 

Your employees may be going through stress and burnout, as an employer, it’s important to come close to the employee to understand why he may be experiencing that. Then you can look for ways to help the employee ease the stress. It might mean reducing the workload of the person.

When employees see their employers showing empathy in the work environment it encourages them to do the same with one another. They can work together as a team to reduce the workload on each other.

3. Upskilling Employees

A lot of employees' mental health disorder comes from the fact that they are nervous and not confident about their work. Studies show that when employees feel fulfilled with the work they deliver, they are more productive and happy.

This is why it is important for tech employers to invest in upskilling their employees. It is even more cost-efficient than hiring and training new employees to do these jobs.

As an employer, it's important that you assess your employee to see where they have a skill gap. Then you can enrol them in the relevant course that would help to boost their skill and this can help them gain more confidence in their work as well as promote their mental well-being.

You can also pay for your employees to attend seminars that would help them connect with others in the field. In such places, they are likely to hear about the struggle of others in their field and this can help them know that they are not alone.

Conclusion

Tackling mental health issues in the tech environment is not something that can be achieved in just one sitting, it is a continuous process. Every healthy work environment that wishes to get the best out of its employees must give priority to their mental well-being.