In recent months we have seen cases of famous people who have raised their voices about the importance of this issue. However, even though mental health therapies have existed for several decades, this topic is still a taboo subject for many people, and those who need help are reluctant to seek it for fear of being judged or labeled.

Companies play a very important role. Many have already implemented policies to assist employees with mental illness by providing support to them and their families, promoting self-awareness and sensitivity among the workforce, working to eliminate offensive language and increasing vigilance in identifying situations of concern. However, there is still a lot to be done as a business community.

According to a study conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2020, Mexico is the country with the worst work-life balance. The truth is that cases of mental health problems in companies have grown mainly due to factors such as: long working hours, 24/7 internet access, lack of growth and development expectations, intimidation of bosses, lack of recognition for work, and the perception that compensation is not fair.

The Burnt It is a disorder of emotional origin, has psychological and physical effects, and results from high levels of stress experienced for a long time in the work environment. This is manifested by a state of physical and mental exhaustion that persists over time and changes the worker’s personality and self-esteem.

Studies confirm that more than ¾ of the employees have suffered from some type Burnt At your job during the last 24 months. This data does not surprise me if we think about the individual crises that people are going through during the pandemic. Many have faced challenges in their personal lives such as: health, family, economic situation, and are also doing their best to do their work.

With reports of burnout among their employees, companies are turning to the stress that employees are going through and realizing that they need time to rest and recharge. According to studies by Porter Novelli, 95% of business leaders say that the health and safety of their employees is important to the company, but for 93% of employees it is also very important to feel that their employers care about them.

It is encouraging to see companies around the world looking to devise ways to lead with empathy and demonstrate a genuine concern for the well-being and mental health of their employees.

Some of the examples I’ve seen companies implement are:

1. Additional holiday days (holidays).
2. Intermittent closure of offices, some businesses closed for up to a week.
3. Policy support for work-life balance.
4. Flexible working hours and a mixed return to the office.
5. Helplines to support people with symptoms of mental illness or fatigue.
6. Psychological Disability Policies.
7. Health insurance with coverage for mental illness.
8. Training people to detect signs of mental illness in their peers.
9. Help for psychotherapy.