For many people, work is one of the biggest causes of strain on mental health. It may be that heavy workloads, tight deadlines and pressure from those in higher positions can cause great stress or anxiety, while some can become so unhappy with their lot at work they suffer depression.
The causes may be simply due to the nature of the job, or there may be extra factors such as maltreatment by colleagues, especially toxic bosses. The key question is how employees should respond.
If, for instance, workplace stress has led to you suffering from anxiety, should you see an anxiety therapist in west London, or does the answer lie in quitting your job and switching to something that causes you a lot less trouble, either in a different company with a better working environment or by a more fundamental career change? The answer may well be to do both.
The issue of people leaving jobs because of mental health issues is a real one. The Scottish transport minister Kevin Stewart has just stepped down for this very reason.
In his resignation letter to first minister Humza Yousaf, he said: “I feel that I can no longer put in the hours required to serve both my constituents and hold ministerial office, while also trying to maintain good mental health.”
Mr Stewart is not stepping down as an MSP, but is certainly making a significant backward step in his career.
He did not give details about the nature of his illness, but it may well be that Mr Stewart does a lot more than simply cut back his political work and is seeking extra help.
In the same way, you might find that changing your job and leaving a tough work environment will curb one great source of anxiety, but that does not mean you cannot benefit from seeing an expert.
There are various reasons this could be so. Firstly, while work may make your anxiety worse, there could be underlying causes that need to be addressed with therapy. Otherwise, you may find that the relief a change of job provides is fragile and temporary, as other situations could arise, in or out of work, that could make the situation much worse again.
Equally, none of that means you should not consider a job change, which people can find rewarding for all sorts of reasons from increased income to greater job satisfaction. According to Very Well Mind, this can make a real difference.
It said: “If low pay, workplace incivility, and/or mental health concerns, are at the root of your job dissatisfaction, consider your options and whether it’s right for you to make a career switch.”
Indeed, FHE Health notes that some jobs are particularly bad for mental health. It lists the five worst as social work, healthcare, teaching, food service and sales. Of these, healthcare is a noted source of anxiety, since the business of saving lives is high-stakes work.
As well as considering whether to change your job, you might speak to your boss about whether anything can be done to accommodate an issue (especially a chronic mental illness).
Whatever you do about your employment, a therapist can provide what may be crucial extra help to get you in a better place mentally, as well as a better workplace.