One in every two employees in Turkey has low psychological resilience

Mental health deeply affects professional life just as much as it does social life. A literature review of 38 sources worldwide found that poor mental health, mostly measured as depression or anxiety, is associated with a loss of productivity (such as absenteeism and presenteeism). According to the research, it is reported that 12 billion workdays are lost each year due to the most common mental health problems like anxiety and depression, with an estimated annual cost to the global economy reaching 1 trillion dollars. Productivity loss is estimated to be the primary source of this cost.

Striking results emerged from research conducted by the online counseling platform HiDoctor and the international management consulting firm Deloitte to determine the awareness levels and needs of employees regarding mental health in Turkey. The research, carried out in three parts—literature review, institutional research, and field research—involved interviews with 1,000 people across 16 sectors, with an equal distribution of men and women, as well as white-collar and blue-collar workers.

FOOD, FURNITURE, RETAIL, AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM

When demographics are examined regarding happiness, industrial sector employees, blue-collar workers, Generation Z, and retirees who are forced to work emerge as groups with higher levels of unhappiness and a greater need for support. According to the results of the survey conducted with employees, the four sectors that invest the least in mental health are observed to be food, furniture, retail, and industry. The food industry is the sector that invests the least in employee mental health at 12 percent, followed by furniture at 15 percent, retail at 16 percent, and the industrial sector at 21 percent. The sectors that invest the most in employee mental health are banking and energy companies. 55.4 percent of companies in the banking sector carry out initiatives to protect the mental health of their employees. Similarly, 50.8 percent of energy companies are another segment with the highest awareness on this issue. Although below 50 percent, healthcare and e-commerce companies also stand out as sectors that invest in the mental health of their employees.

HAPPINESS AWARENESS AMONG PEOPLE IS LOW

One of the most striking results from the research is that employees' awareness of happiness is significantly low. While the rate of those who answered 'yes' to the question 'Do you feel happy?' in the research was 58 percent, the score drops to 13.6 when a happiness scale is applied. In other words, there is a significant 44.4-point gap between felt happiness and measured happiness.

ONE IN EVERY TWO PEOPLE IN THE TURKISH WORKFORCE HAS LOW PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE

Another noteworthy result of the research is that one in every two employees has low psychological resilience. In contrast, the rate of those who stated they have never received psychological support was found to be as high as 88 percent. The rate of those who have sought professional help remained at only 12 percent. One of the most significant barriers to receiving psychological support is that such support is often too expensive to be easily accessible. Another is the fear of stigmatization. For many, the knowledge of a need for psychological support in the workplace creates a fear of being stigmatized; behind this lies the anxiety of being seen as a weak link in the work environment.
87.9 percent of those participating in the research state that they would utilize such a service if their organization provided it. 79.9 percent of employees say that mental health would have a positive impact on their work life.

"WE DESIGNED OUR EMPLOYEE HAPPINESS PROGRAMS BASED ON RESEARCH RESULTS"

HiDoctor CEO Ahmet Bal stated, "The low level of happiness awareness found in the research reveals the need to create social awareness on this issue. For organizations to take action among their employees to create awareness will expand the sphere of influence. It is very important for managers to guide the employees on their teams toward receiving psychological support, to motivate them to use the necessary tools for self-awareness, and even to be role models. The positive development here is that the rate of utilizing psychological support, should it be provided by the institution, was found to be at the 90 percent level. In other words, employers offering such a service will not go unrewarded. It is clear that psychological support is a serious need today; it is both a need and expected by the employee. This means it is time for action. Individuals must break down their taboos regarding psychological support. The World Health Organization also highlighted this year that psychological support is one of our most fundamental needs. The time to normalize receiving psychological support has long since passed. It is important not to hesitate to speak about it and, as mentioned before, to be a role model. Building a corporate culture in this direction is the duty of everyone, starting with the managers. Making this support accessible is critically important for the sustainability of work life and, in a broader sense, for social benefit."

Noting that the HiDoctor Employee Happiness Program was designed based on both their experiences and the results of the research, Bal said, "We have created a universe where everyone can design their own personalized journey. We have built this infrastructure technologically so that it is easily accessible and usable. We want to break down the walls regarding mental health with the steps of 'realize - internalize - take action'."

"WE MUST NOT FORGET BLUE-COLLAR WORKERS IN EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING PROGRAMS"

Deloitte Turkey Consulting Leader Hakan Göl stated that the emerging picture brings up the question of how much and how organizations include mental health support in their well-being packages. Göl said, "It should be questioned whether there are differences between the reflection of existing support on employees and what organizations think they are implementing, and if so, why. At the same time, it must not be forgotten that the content offered by organizations as well-being packages is designed more for white-collar employees. The industrial sector and blue-collar workers are among the unhappiest segments of work life. It can also be underlined that the responsibility of organizations regarding mental health has become a social responsibility, especially for this group, in terms of creating awareness, identifying needs, and taking precautions."

News Source: 12punto