While talking about mental health is nowhere near as "normal" as talking about our physical condition. However, there is more understanding that mind and body belong together and that both need to be cared for. As a consequence, illnesses are recognized and treated earlier, better and more frequently in those affected.
The last point in particular, unfortunately, receives even more attention than the mental health ie itself: The rise in diagnoses of mental illness in health and pension insurance statistics. It leads to the amption that mental illness is on the rise at an almost explosive rate all over the world. Fortunately, this is not the case.
Many studies show, u.a. by the Robert Koch Institute, that mental illness is not on the rise in society (u.a. Knieps& Pfaff, 2020). However, the number of diagnoses is increasing and approaching the number of those who are actually mentally ill. According to this, the change of work does not endanger health – however, it brings new and/or. other stress factors, e.g. B. Other work structures. New work tools. Work structures. New work tools.
Mental illnesses can have a variety of causes
A mental illness (or. disorder) is a disease-related change in experience and behavior with an effect on perception, thinking, feeling and self-perception. The illness must be diagnosed clinically and is usually associated with suffering and disability of social as well as occupational life (see the classification systems for diseases ICD-10 resp. mental disorders DSM-5). Work is never the sole cause of mental illness (Windemuth, 2014). Mental illness occurs z. B. from an interplay of our biology such as our disposition, social factors such as our private environment, and our coping strategies in the event of conflicts. Typical illnesses include depression, anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence. Burnout is not a mental illness (not even according to ICD-11), but a factor that can influence the development of mental illnesses.
What role does work play in mental illness??
Basically, work has a positive influence on health and personal development. Beyond providing a livelihood, good work can be a source of meaning in life, self-confidence, or satisfaction. In addition, work structures the course of everyday life for large parts of our lives and enables social contact and recognition (Enste& Ewers, 2014). Numerous professional societies as well as patient organizations, such as the Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe (German Depression Aid Foundation), support the statement that work z. B. supports recovery from depression. Protecting against illness. Recovery from depression supported. Can protect against illness. However, poor work stress (such as permanent, high time prere, constant work interruptions, or conflict) can contribute to health problems and increase the likelihood of developing mental disorders.
Employers take their employees' mental health seriously
For companies, the mental health of their employees is of central importance. Because in addition to the desire for motivated and satisfied employees, it is clear that mental illness leads to lower performance, risk of accidents and absenteeism. Therefore, it is also the legal task and goal of employers to reduce hazards caused by mental stress: Since 2005, hazardous mental stress factors such as high work pace and deadline and performance prere have continued to decrease. In a European comparison, mental demands are consistently lower than the EU average. A large proportion of employed people in Germany (87%) also always or usually feel that they are doing meaningful work (Eurofound, 2015).
The social partners are also involved in the Joint German Occupational Health and Safety Strategy (GDA), which provides practical tips and implementation recommendations u.a. ies information on psychological stress factors at work. They are also involved in the project "Mitdenken 4.0" of the Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft, where it provides information and assistance z. B. on home office. Work on accessibility. on home office and accessibility work. In addition, the BDA facilitates networks and platforms where employers' (associations') regularly exchange views on mental health and good work design ies and maintain contact with researchers and experts.