Assignment 2: Moving from One Instrument to a Symphony Orchestra

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Assignment 2: Moving from One Instrument to a Symphony Orchestra

Yvonne Abron

November 5, 2017

Walden University

Writing with Confidence and Purpose (ENGL - 1010 - 4)

Instructor(s): Jennifer Kozar

Low treatment rates imperil workers’ careers and company’s productivity. Adequate treatment, on the other hand, can alleviate symptoms for the employee and improve job performance. Facing mental health challenges at work can impact overall health, relationships and even lifespan. “Depression and anxiety tend to affect people in their prime working years and may last a lifetime if left untreated. Employees with mental health issues are often a low priority in the workplace. Mental health problems affect many employees a fact that is usually overlooked because these disorders tend to be hidden at work. Lack of treatment can be part of the problem only 1 in 4 employees seek help. More emphasis has traditionally been placed on physical health than on mental health and well-being. When mental health issues arise and go unaddressed, the employee suffers, as does the employee’s department, and the company’s bottom line.

Americans ages 15 to 54, reported that 18% of those who were employed said they experienced symptoms of a mental health disorder in the previous month. Out of fear that the employee might jeopardize their job the employee doesn’t seek help. As a result, mental health goes unrecognized and untreated causing damage to their health and career, but also reducing productivity in the work place. Mental health disorders are usually one of the three leading causes of disability, together with cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders. Symptoms tend to manifest differently at work than they do at home or in other settings. Mental health issues become costly to the companies particularly lost productivity. Employee performance, rates of illness, absenteeism, accidents, and staff turnover are all affected by employees’ mental health. In the United States, estimates alone is nearly $40 billion, with an estimated 220 million days lost from work each year. Mental illness imposes a heavy burden in terms of human suffering, social exclusion, and stigmatization. While globalization has been a powerful and dynamic force for economic growth and development, work conditions and the labor market have changed dramatically during the last two decades.

Some of the mental illness in the workplace include depression which ranks among the top three workplace problems for employee assistance professionals, following only family crisis and stress. There is a 3% of total short term disability days are due to depressive disorders and in 76% of those cases, the employee is female. Depressive disorder accounts for over half of all medical plan dollars paid for mental health problems. Employees that have depression show signs such as nervousness, restlessness, or irritability. The employee may show signs as physical complaints, such as a pre occupation with aches and pains. The may also show signs of fatigue at work. The depression may also impair judgement or cloud decision making. Almost 15% of those suffering from depression will die by suicide. Many employees are also unaware they have depression or they fear their insurance is inadequate to cover cost for treatment. If the employee notices the depression they may refer the employee for help. No two people experience clinical depression the same. In the workplace symptoms of depression often may be recognized by decreased productivity, morale problems, lack of cooperation ,safety risks, and complaints of being tired just to name a few. In addition, it has been shown that depressed individuals have high rates of absenteeism and more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, resulting in other problems on and off the job. As the employee they should know what to say to the employee so they can assist with them getting the proper help need to better their situation. Learn about depression and the sources to help. Recognize when an employee shows signs of a problem. Discuss changes in work performance with the employee. Bipolar disorder is also found among workers in the work place. According to the National Institute of Mental Health bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6%of the U.S. population age 18 and old every year. Bipolar disorder can be difficult to gauge in the workplace, but managers must be accommodating. Employees with the disorder at work approach their disorder at work in one of three different ways: telling everyone, supervisors included; telling no one; or telling a couple of coworkers they trust. Many who suffer from bipolar can function in the workplace and many are hirable. The employee may appear highly energetic and creative but actual productivity may suffer. The employee may become disruptive in the workplace. The may start making mistakes with judgement causing the company to lose money. Studies have shown the depressive phase of bipolar disorder can impair performance more than the manic phase. People in the manic stage of the illness often feel they can do things no one else can do.

Having an anxiety disorder can make a major impact in the workplace. People may turn down a promotion or other opportunity because it involves travel or public speaking. Anxiety disorder is the sixth leading disorder in America affecting around 18% of American adults. Anxiety disorder are associated with poor quality of life in comparison to not having anxiety, including higher rates of divorce and unemployment. Anxiety disorder are associated with poor job productivity and short and long term work disability, resulting in more than $4.1 billion in indirect workplace cost. Anxiety disorder lead to an average of 4.6 work days lost to disability per 3 months. The employee may show signs such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and excess working as well as irritability. Anxiety disorder can go unnoticed 5 to 10 years and only 1 in 3 diagnosed receives treatment for the illness. While anxiety can be extremely unpleasant, it does not have to be permanently disabling. For many people with mental illnesses, successfully maintaining a job is an essential part of recovery and wellbeing. The company should educate employees and managers about mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders. Promote the use of an employee assistance program and other related health programs. Be mindful that employees with anxiety disorders may benefit from certain accommodations such as modified workplaces, flexible schedules and deadlines, or permission to take periodic breaks throughout the workday. By demonstrating an openness and willingness to address anxiety as seriously as any other medical condition, those affected will feel more willing to ask for assistance.

The symptoms of ADHD can create challenges for the adult in the workplace, just as they do for children in school. Some adults with ADHD have successful careers. Others may struggle in the work place displays symptoms such as poor communication skills, distractibility, procrastination and difficulty managing complex projects. Each individual with ADHD suffer with a different set of disability. There is a average of 3.5% of employees that suffer from ADHD that may result in the employees career to suffer or even result in termination of the job. There are also behavioral problems with the worker and cause termination. Problems with external distractibility can be the biggest challenge for adults with ADHD. Adults with ADHD may struggle with impulsivity and temper outbursts in the workplace. Adults with the hyperactive presentation of ADHD often do better in jobs that allow a great deal of movement, such as sales. Failing to remember deadlines and other responsibilities can antagonize co-workers, especially when working on teams. Because of the strong need for stimulation, some adults with ADHD become easily bored at work, especially with detailed paperwork and routine tasks. Managing time can be a big challenge for adults with ADHD. Putting things off not only prevents completion of tasks, but also creates problems for others on the team. Managing complex or long-term projects may be the hardest organizational challenge for adults with ADHD. The inability to find important papers, turn in reports and time sheets, and maintain a filing system can create the impression of carelessness. Individuals with ADHD may unintentionally offend co-workers by interrupting frequently, talking too much, being too blunt, or not listening well. These signs are noticeable so pay attention and make sure the employee gets the help they need to excel in there career.

The workplace is the most important environment to discuss mental health and illness, yet it is the last place we expect to hear about it. Roughly 85% of employee’s mental health conditions are undiagnosed or untreated. Mental health conditions cost employers more than $100 billion and 217 million lost workdays each year. By addressing mental health issues in the workplace and investing in mental health care for workers, employers can increase productivity and employee retention. Getting help can reduce accidents, sick-days, and employee turnover. Work is often a very positive experience for people recovering from mental illness. Some mental health problems in the workplace can also be prevented when organizations take steps to create mentally healthy workplaces for all employees. Treatment takes time it’s not fixed overnight. Treatment should be looked at as a investment that will pay off in the long haul.

Reference:

www.futureofpersonalhealth.com-“Future Of Personal Health”

www.mentalhealthamerica.net- “Depression In the Workplace”

www.valueoptions.com- “How Depression Affects the Workplace”

www.workplaceethicsadvice.com- “Challenges for Bipolar Employees and their Employers in the Workplace”

www.workplacementalhealth.org- “Anxiety Disorders Why they Matter and What Employers can do”

www.chadd.org- “understanding ADHD”

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