importance of mental health thesis

• Human Editing
• Free AI Essay Writer
• AI Outline Generator
• AI Paragraph Generator
• Paragraph Expander
• Essay Expander
• Literature Review Generator
• Research Paper Generator
• Thesis Generator
• Paraphrasing tool
• AI Rewording Tool
• AI Sentence Rewriter
• AI Rephraser
• AI Paragraph Rewriter
• Summarizing Tool
• AI Content Shortener
• Plagiarism Checker
• AI Detector
• AI Essay Checker
• Citation Generator
• Reference Finder
• Book Citation Generator
• Legal Citation Generator
• Journal Citation Generator
• Reference Citation Generator
• Scientific Citation Generator
• Source Citation Generator
• Website Citation Generator
• URL Citation Generator
• Proofreading Service
• Editing Service
• AI Writing Guides
• AI Detection Guides
• Citation Guides
• Grammar Guides
• Paraphrasing Guides
• Plagiarism Guides
• Summary Writing Guides
• STEM Guides
• Humanities Guides
• Language Learning Guides
• Coding Guides
• Top Lists and Recommendations
• AI Detectors
• AI Writing Services
• Coding Homework Help
• Citation Generators
• Editing Websites
• Essay Writing Websites
• Language Learning Websites
• Math Solvers
• Paraphrasers
• Plagiarism Checkers
• Reference Finders
• Spell Checkers
• Summarizers
• Tutoring Websites

Most Popular

Ai or not ai a student suspects one of their peer reviewer was a bot, how to summarize a research article, loose vs lose, how to cite a blog, apa paraphrasing, mental health awareness thesis statement examples.

unsplash.com

Mental health awareness is a crucial topic in contemporary society that seeks to educate individuals on mental health disorders, reduce stigma, and advocate for accessible treatment. When constructing a thesis on this topic, a decisive, clear, and specific thesis statement is imperative. This text will provide and analyze good and bad thesis statement examples on mental health awareness to guide students in developing robust research arguments.

Good Thesis Statement Examples

Specific and Clear: “The research quantitatively analyzes the impact of school-based mental health awareness programs on adolescents’ levels of depression and anxiety.” Bad: “School programs about mental health awareness are important.”

The good example is specific and clear, offering a quantitative approach, focus group (adolescents), and measurable outcomes (levels of depression and anxiety). Conversely, the bad example is vague, lacking clear metrics or specific focus areas.

Well-defined Scope: “This thesis explores the role of social media in propagating mental health stigma among adults in the United States.” Bad: “Social media plays a role in mental health.”

The good statement precisely defines the scope, focusing on stigma propagation, the adult demographic, and limiting the study to the United States. The bad example is too broad and lacks specificity on the aspect of mental health and target demographic.

Arguable and Debatable: “The availability of teletherapy services significantly improves access to mental health care for rural populations facing transportation barriers.” Bad: “Teletherapy services are beneficial.”

The good thesis is arguable and presents a specific claim about teletherapy’s impact on rural populations and access barriers, whereas the bad example is non-debatable and too general without a particular focus or claim.

Bad Thesis Statement Examples

Overly Broad: “Mental health is important for everyone.”

This statement, while true, is too broad and general. It doesn’t guide the reader towards a specific aspect of mental health, making it ineffective for a thesis.

Lack of Clear Argument: “Mental health issues affect people in different ways.”

While this statement is factual, it lacks a clear argument or focus, leaving the reader without direction or understanding of the paper’s purpose. Seeking paraphrasing help can enhance the clarity and focus of your statement, ensuring your paper effectively communicates its purpose.

Unmeasurable and Unresearchable: “Positive thinking can cure mental disorders.”

This statement is not only scientifically incorrect but also unmeasurable and unresearchable, making it inappropriate for scholarly research.

A strong thesis statement is pivotal for the success of a thesis on Mental Health Awareness. As illustrated, good thesis statements are clear, specific, and arguable with a well-defined scope, guiding the reader effortlessly through the research’s purpose and objectives. In contrast, bad thesis statements are often overly broad, lack clear arguments, and are not measurable or researchable, leading to confusion and a lack of direction. By carefully considering these examples, students can craft thesis statements that offer clarity, precision, and a roadmap for their research on the vital and complex issue of mental health awareness.

Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.

Comments (0)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Thesis Statement Examples and Samples

Sep 30 2023

Gender & Sexuality Studies Thesis Statement Examples

Criminal Justice Reform Thesis Statement Examples

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Thesis Statement Examples

Remember Me

Is English your native language ? Yes No

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

Downloadable Content

A Study on Students' Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic Through the Perspective of Mental Health Professionals

• Masters Thesis
• Hightower, Shelby
• Navarro, Richard
• Olson, Peter
• Lim, Andrew
• Education & Integrative Studies
• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• pandemic lockdown 2020
• mental health
• http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12680/9306t488f

Relationships

• CPP Education

Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

• Bipolar Disorder
• Therapy Center
• When To See a Therapist
• Types of Therapy
• Best Online Therapy
• Best Couples Therapy
• Best Family Therapy
• Managing Stress
• Sleep and Dreaming
• Understanding Emotions
• Self-Improvement
• Healthy Relationships
• Student Resources
• Personality Types
• Guided Meditations
• Verywell Mind Insights
• 2023 Verywell Mind 25
• Mental Health in the Classroom
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Review Board
• Crisis Support

The Importance of Mental Health

Elizabeth is a freelance health and wellness writer. She helps brands craft factual, yet relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences.

Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities.

Westend61 / Getty Images

Risk Factors for Poor Mental Health

Signs of mental health problems, benefits of good mental health, how to maintain mental health and well-being.

Your mental health is an important part of your well-being. This aspect of your welfare determines how you’re able to operate psychologically, emotionally, and socially among others.

Considering how much of a role your mental health plays in each aspect of your life, it's important to guard and improve psychological wellness using appropriate measures.

Because different circumstances can affect your mental health, we’ll be highlighting risk factors and signs that may indicate mental distress. But most importantly, we’ll dive into all of the benefits of having your mental health in its best shape.

Mental health is described as a state of well-being where a person is able to cope with the normal stresses of life. This state permits productive work output and allows for meaningful contributions to society.

However, different circumstances exist that may affect the ability to handle life’s curveballs. These factors may also disrupt daily activities, and the capacity to manage these changes. 

The following factors, listed below, may affect mental well-being and could increase the risk of developing psychological disorders .

Childhood Abuse

When a child is subjected to physical assault, sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect while growing up, it can lead to severe mental and emotional distress.

Abuse increases the risk of developing mental disorders like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or personality disorders.

Children who have been abused may eventually deal with alcohol and substance use issues. But beyond mental health challenges, child abuse may also lead to medical complications such as diabetes, stroke, and other forms of heart disease.

The Environment

A strong contributor to mental well-being is the state of a person’s usual environment . Adverse environmental circumstances can cause negative effects on psychological wellness.

For instance, weather conditions may influence an increase in suicide cases. Likewise, experiencing natural disasters firsthand can increase the chances of developing PTSD. In certain cases, air pollution may produce negative effects on depression symptoms.  

In contrast, living in a positive social environment can provide protection against mental challenges.

Your biological makeup could determine the state of your well-being. A number of mental health disorders have been found to run in families and may be passed down to members.

These include conditions such as autism , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , bipolar disorder , depression , and schizophrenia .

Your lifestyle can also impact your mental health. Smoking, a poor diet , alcohol consumption , substance use , and risky sexual behavior may cause psychological harm. These behaviors have been linked to depression.

When mental health is compromised, it isn’t always apparent to the individual or those around them. However, there are certain warning signs to look out for, that may signify negative changes for the well-being. These include:

• A switch in eating habits, whether over or undereating
• A noticeable reduction in energy levels
• Being more reclusive and shying away from others
• Feeling persistent despair
• Indulging in alcohol, tobacco, or other substances more than usual
• Experiencing unexplained confusion, anger, guilt, or worry
• Severe mood swings
• Picking fights with family and friends
• Hearing voices with no identifiable source
• Thinking of self-harm or causing harm to others
• Being unable to perform daily tasks with ease

Whether young or old, the importance of mental health for total well-being cannot be overstated. When psychological wellness is affected, it can cause negative behaviors that may not only affect personal health but can also compromise relationships with others. 

Below are some of the benefits of good mental health.

A Stronger Ability to Cope With Life’s Stressors

When mental and emotional states are at peak levels, the challenges of life can be easier to overcome.

Where alcohol/drugs, isolation, tantrums, or fighting may have been adopted to manage relationship disputes, financial woes, work challenges, and other life issues—a stable mental state can encourage healthier coping mechanisms.

A Positive Self-Image

Mental health greatly correlates with personal feelings about oneself. Overall mental wellness plays a part in your self-esteem . Confidence can often be a good indicator of a healthy mental state.

A person whose mental health is flourishing is more likely to focus on the good in themselves. They will hone in on these qualities, and will generally have ambitions that strive for a healthy, happy life.

Healthier Relationships

If your mental health is in good standing, you might be more capable of providing your friends and family with quality time , affection , and support. When you're not in emotional distress, it can be easier to show up and support the people you care about.

Better Productivity

Dealing with depression or other mental health disorders can impact your productivity levels. If you feel mentally strong , it's more likely that you will be able to work more efficiently and provide higher quality work.

Higher Quality of Life

When mental well-being thrives, your quality of life may improve. This can give room for greater participation in community building. For example, you may begin volunteering in soup kitchens, at food drives, shelters, etc.

You might also pick up new hobbies , and make new acquaintances , and travel to new cities.

Because mental health is so important to general wellness, it’s important that you take care of your mental health.

To keep mental health in shape, a few introductions to and changes to lifestyle practices may be required. These include:

• Taking up regular exercise
• Prioritizing rest and sleep on a daily basis
• Trying meditation
• Learning coping skills for life challenges
• Keeping in touch with loved ones
• Maintaining a positive outlook on life

Another proven way to improve and maintain mental well-being is through the guidance of a professional. Talk therapy can teach you healthier ways to interact with others and coping mechanisms to try during difficult times.

Therapy can also help you address some of your own negative behaviors and provide you with the tools to make some changes in your own life.

A Word From Verywell

Your mental health state can have a profound impact on all areas of your life. If you're finding it difficult to address mental health concerns on your own, don't hesitate to seek help from a licensed therapist .

World Health Organization. Mental Health: Strengthening our Response .

Lippard ETC, Nemeroff CB. The Devastating Clinical Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect: Increased Disease Vulnerability and Poor Treatment Response in Mood Disorders . Am J Psychiatry . 2020;177(1):20-36. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19010020

 Helbich M. Mental Health and Environmental Exposures: An Editorial. Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2018;15(10):2207. Published 2018 Oct 10. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102207

Helbich M. Mental Health and Environmental Exposures: An Editorial. Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2018;15(10):2207. Published 2018 Oct 10. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102207

National Institutes of Health. Common Genetic Factors Found in 5 Mental Disorders .

Zaman R, Hankir A, Jemni M. Lifestyle Factors and Mental Health . Psychiatr Danub . 2019;31(Suppl 3):217-220.

Medline Plus. What Is mental health? .

National Alliance on Mental Health. Why Self-Esteem Is Important for Mental Health .

By Elizabeth Plumptre Elizabeth is a freelance health and wellness writer. She helps brands craft factual, yet relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences.

• Essay Editor

Mental Health Essay

Revolutionize your writing process: our AI rewrite tool is here to help

Introduction

Mental health, often overshadowed by its physical counterpart, is an intricate and essential aspect of human existence. It envelops our emotions, psychological state, and social well-being, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. With the complexities of modern life—constant connectivity, societal pressures, personal expectations, and the frenzied pace of technological advancements—mental well-being has become increasingly paramount. Historically, conversations around this topic have been hushed, shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. However, as the curtains of misconception slowly lift, we find ourselves in an era where discussions about mental health are not only welcomed but are also seen as vital. Recognizing and addressing the nuances of our mental state is not merely about managing disorders; it's about understanding the essence of who we are, how we process the world around us, and how we navigate the myriad challenges thrown our way. This essay aims to delve deep into the realm of mental health, shedding light on its importance, the potential consequences of neglect, and the spectrum of mental disorders that many face in silence.

Importance of Mental Health

Mental health plays a pivotal role in determining how individuals think, feel, and act. It influences our decision-making processes, stress management techniques, interpersonal relationships, and even our physical health. A well-tuned mental state boosts productivity, creativity, and the intrinsic sense of self-worth, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling life.

Negative Impact of Mental Health

Neglecting mental health, on the other hand, can lead to severe consequences. Reduced productivity, strained relationships, substance abuse, physical health issues like heart diseases, and even reduced life expectancy are just some of the repercussions of poor mental health. It not only affects the individual in question but also has a ripple effect on their community, workplace, and family.

Mental Disorders: Types and Prevalence

Mental disorders are varied and can range from anxiety and mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder to more severe conditions such as schizophrenia.

• Depression: Characterized by persistent sadness, lack of interest in activities, and fatigue.
• Anxiety Disorders: Encompass conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and specific phobias.
• Schizophrenia: A complex disorder affecting a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly.

The prevalence of these disorders has been on the rise, underscoring the need for comprehensive mental health initiatives and awareness campaigns.

Understanding Mental Health and Its Importance

Mental health is not merely the absence of disorders but encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Recognizing the signs of deteriorating mental health, like prolonged sadness, extreme mood fluctuations, or social withdrawal, is crucial. Understanding stems from awareness and education. Societal stigmas surrounding mental health have often deterred individuals from seeking help. Breaking these barriers, fostering open conversations, and ensuring access to mental health care are imperative steps.

Conclusion: Mental Health

Mental health, undeniably, is as significant as physical health, if not more. In an era where the stressors are myriad, from societal pressures to personal challenges, mental resilience and well-being are essential. Investing time and resources into mental health initiatives, and more importantly, nurturing a society that understands, respects, and prioritizes mental health is the need of the hour.

• World Leaders: Several influential personalities, from celebrities to sports stars, have openly discussed their mental health challenges, shedding light on the universality of these issues and the importance of addressing them.
• Workplaces: Progressive organizations are now incorporating mental health programs, recognizing the tangible benefits of a mentally healthy workforce, from increased productivity to enhanced creativity.
• Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges, witnessing the effects of stress and other mental health issues on students, are increasingly integrating counseling services and mental health education in their curriculum.

In weaving through the intricate tapestry of mental health, it becomes evident that it's an area that requires collective attention, understanding, and action.

  Short Essay about Mental Health

Mental health, an integral facet of human well-being, shapes our emotions, decisions, and daily interactions. Just as one would care for a sprained ankle or a fever, our minds too require attention and nurture. In today's bustling world, mental well-being is often put on the back burner, overshadowed by the immediate demands of life. Yet, its impact is pervasive, influencing our productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Sadly, mental health issues have long been stigmatized, seen as a sign of weakness or dismissed as mere mood swings. However, they are as real and significant as any physical ailment. From anxiety to depression, these disorders have touched countless lives, often in silence due to societal taboos.

But change is on the horizon. As awareness grows, conversations are shifting from hushed whispers to open discussions, fostering understanding and support. Institutions, workplaces, and communities are increasingly acknowledging the importance of mental health, implementing programs, and offering resources.

In conclusion, mental health is not a peripheral concern but a central one, crucial to our holistic well-being. It's high time we prioritize it, eliminating stigma and fostering an environment where everyone feels supported in their mental health journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the primary focus of a mental health essay?

Answer: The primary focus of a mental health essay is to delve into the intricacies of mental well-being, its significance in our daily lives, the various challenges people face, and the broader societal implications. It aims to shed light on both the psychological and emotional aspects of mental health, often emphasizing the importance of understanding, empathy, and proactive care.

• How can writing an essay on mental health help raise awareness about its importance?

Answer: Writing an essay on mental health can effectively articulate the nuances and complexities of the topic, making it more accessible to a wider audience. By presenting facts, personal anecdotes, and research, the essay can demystify misconceptions, highlight the prevalence of mental health issues, and underscore the need for destigmatizing discussions around it. An impactful essay can ignite conversations, inspire action, and contribute to a more informed and empathetic society.

• What are some common topics covered in a mental health essay?

Answer: Common topics in a mental health essay might include the definition and importance of mental health, the connection between mental and physical well-being, various mental disorders and their symptoms, societal stigmas and misconceptions, the impact of modern life on mental health, and the significance of therapy and counseling. It may also delve into personal experiences, case studies, and the broader societal implications of neglecting mental health.

Recent articles

Essay - what it is and how to write it with an ai aithor.

Writing concise and persuasive texts is a skill required in many professional settings. One of the ways we learn this skill is by writing essays. However, essays require lots of preparation and research, so they can be hard to write, especially if you struggle to understand how to make your essay better. In this article, you’ll learn what an essay is and how to use the Aithor AI essay generator for writing essays. What is an essay? In a broad sense, an essay is a genre of writing that allows ...

Artificial Intelligence: Evolution of Essay Writing

We live in the age when each new year brings more innovations than the previous one. One of the most debated topics of recent time is AI writing software. Not only did users get a handy helper for composing emails, but a tireless machine for writing pages of text on a variety of topics. It’s only natural that students who often have to write long essays as homework started using it too. This article will dissect how artificial intelligence will change the future essays and if AI generation tool ...

Join the writing revolution: subscribe to our AI article generator tool

Online Students

For All Online Programs

International Students

On Campus, need or have Visa

Campus Students

For All Campus Programs

Why is Mental Health Important?

(Note: This article discusses suicide and other serious issues pertaining to mental health.)

Whether through a minor bump in your journey or a full-blown crisis, you may have struggled with your mental health in some capacity in the last few years. Faced with a seemingly endless onslaught of bad news on top of life’s usual challenges, it can be difficult to prioritize yourself while pursuing educational and professional goals. Focusing on your mental health is perhaps the most powerful step you can take to improve your overall quality of life.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 1 in 5 adults now lives with a moderate to severe mental health condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further notes that over 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with mental illness in their lifetime. But what exactly is mental health, and why is it so important?

What is Mental Health?

“When in a state of good mental health, a person has a general positive outlook, can accomplish daily tasks, maintain relationships and engage in meaningful recreation,” said Dr. Darleen Dempster , a Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) clinical faculty member in the clinical mental health counseling program . “This includes a sense of balance and empowerment to set boundaries and address life and work goals, step by step.”

In addition to the impact that mental health has on your day-to-day life, serious mental health issues can affect your relationships, career, education and long-term goals. As rates of mental illness increase worldwide, addressing your mental health challenges as they arise can change —or even save — your life.

Why is Mental Health Important for Students?

The World Heath Organization (WHO) reports a sharp rise in the number of people experiencing mental illness in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating mental health problems throughout the world. For students, it is more important than ever to address your mental health issues to stay mentally healthy and keep up with your educational and personal goals.

Even before the pandemic, mental health was a prominent concern for students. In 2019, the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) noted that many students reported feeling exhausted, lonely and overwhelmed, among other symptoms and difficulties ( NCHA PDF Source ). Of the surveyed students, 20.2% reported experiencing depression and 27.8% reported experiencing anxiety that affected their studies in the preceding year.

“College can be a stressful time as you manage academic demands on top of other life demands,” Dempster said. “However, just as many students can learn to be successful academically, you can also learn to manage and improve mental health outcomes, including managing stress.”

Ways to Cope with Stress

Stress management can be a vital aspect of student success, especially for busy students who may also be working or caring for others. Dempster and the CDC recommend several methods to help manage stress:

• Adequate sleep
• Avoidance of alcohol and substance abuse
• Breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks
• Cultivating healthy relationships
• Eating well
• Meditation, breathing exercises and other self-care activities

“At times, it is necessary also to set boundaries, to communicate needs, to be flexible to changing circumstances and to let go of perfectionistic standards,” Dempster said. “There should be no shame in seeking out mental health care as needed, just as one would not feel shame in seeking medical care for a persistent medical issue.”

Some colleges have free, real-time mental health services for students—for example, students at SNHU can access the school’s HelpU program. If you are a student struggling with mental health, look into what resources are available through your school.

How is Mental Health Connected to Physical Health?

The NIMH reports that some mental illnesses like depression and anxiety can cause physical symptoms that are otherwise unexplained. The CDC also reports that mental illness can increase the risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease and has recognized that severe mental illness can increase the likelihood of a person becoming seriously ill after contracting COVID-19. At the same time, chronic physical health issues can also contribute to mental health issues.

“Factors like proper diet, sleep and exercise can positively impact our mental health. Conversely, lack of sleep, poor diet and lack of exercise can impede our ability to manage stress and life’s demands,” Dempster said. “Sometimes mental health symptoms can lead to somatic symptoms due to tension, worrisome thoughts or other reactions. Therefore, there is a circular loop between mental and physical symptoms.”

What Are Examples of Mental Health Problems?

Mental health problems can affect your life in various ways, depending upon the issue or disorder. The following are examples of different mental health problems and their corresponding challenges and symptoms.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety disorders are a leading mental health issue globally, and the NIMH approximates that almost 1 in 3 people will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Symptoms of anxiety can range from tenseness or nervousness to panic attacks and physical illness. Anxiety can refer to generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, separation anxiety, specific phobias and other anxiety-based disorders.

Depression is another common disorder with the capacity to severely impact a person’s life, according to NIMH. Symptoms typically include persistent sadness, emptiness, irritability, impaired motivation, guilt or feelings of low self-worth. People with depression also may have difficulties focusing, aches, pains, digestive issues or changes in their sleep and eating habits.

Some of the most serious symptoms of depression are suicidal thoughts and actions. Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States overall—yet it is the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 24-34 and the 3rd leading cause of death for Americans 15-24 years old, per the NIMH. The CDC reports that suicide rates rose 30% between 2000 and 2020.

Trauma and Addiction

The psychological impact of a traumatic event or experience can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, unwanted memories, nightmares and panic attacks. Although the disorder is often associated with war veterans, a wide variety of traumatic experiences can lead to PTSD, like assault, abuse, serious accidents and loss.

Addiction is another mental health concern that has been on the rise in recent years, with drug overdose deaths having rapidly increased since the 1990s according to the CDC. Alcohol is the most abused substance, with 5.3% of deaths worldwide attributed to alcohol consumption, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Addiction is a complex disease that many are only able to overcome with professional help.

Other Disorders

Psychotic disorders are among the most stigmatized in our society, which only serves to further alienate people living with psychosis and seeking treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Psychosis is defined as a disconnect from reality by way of auditory/visual hallucinations, disorganized thinking or delusions. Some psychotic disorders include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder . Despite misconceptions regarding psychosis and violence, the World Psychiatry Journal notes that experiencers of psychosis are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

Other common psychiatric disorders include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, personality disorders like borderline personality disorder, and mood disorders like bipolar disorder . Each mental health disorder has its own set of challenges—and its own set of treatments.

What Are Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Mental Illness?

Some mental illnesses may be hereditary, while others are developed. Dempster notes a variety of warning signs that signal mental health issues as well as additional risk factors that can lead to mental health problems.

Some warning signs of mental illness are:

• Appetite changes
• Disruption of sleep
• Engaging in risky behaviors (self-harm, sexual acting out, disordered eating or other compulsive behaviors)
• Mental distress (worrisome thoughts, tension, insecurity)
• Negative impacts on relationships (isolating, arguing, etc.)
• Substance abuse
• Suicidal thoughts

Other risk factors of mental illness include:

• Adverse childhood experiences
• Past or present trauma
• Present or past experiences of being abused or assaulted
• Sudden loss

If you are experiencing warning signs of mental illness, consider reaching out to a professional for help. If someone you know is struggling with any of these symptoms, Dempster recommends the “QPR” approach.

“A great way to help a loved one into care is to remember the acronym QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, Refer,” Dempster said. “ Question : Directly ask the individual you are concerned about how they are doing, sharing your care and concern. Persuade: Talk to the person about the benefits of seeking out care with a mental health professional who can provide support and resources to address overwhelming thoughts and feelings. Refer: Support the individual in seeking out care by helping them to find available care, helping them to make an appointment or even taking them to the appointment.”

What Mental Health Treatments and Resources Are Available?

A variety of treatment options exist for different mental health issues. “There are times that some mental health problems can be treated by increasing self-care, accessing one’s support system and by careful problem-solving and communication,” Dempster said. “However, there are other times that professional mental health care, including therapy, medication or some other form of treatment offered by a professional can help to address mental health problems much more expediently through evidence-based methods.”

Many patients visit multiple mental health providers–for example, seeing a psychiatrist regarding medications and a therapist for more frequent counseling sessions. Consult the Mayo Clinic’s guide to finding a mental health provider , and reach out to your health insurance provider to find mental health services near you. You can also use Psychology Today’s expansive directory to help locate a provider in your area, and Findtreatment.gov offers a substance abuse treatment locator tool. For serious mental health concerns, The National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has an early serious mental health treatment locator tool to find treatment centers in the United States.

“Historically, there has been a stigma with seeking mental health care that is not evident in seeking care for physical problems, and this stigma prolonged the suffering of many needlessly and has even cost lives,” Dempster said. “Seeking out care for mental health concerns is a sign of strength and there is robust evidence that demonstrates that mental health care is effective.”

If you or someone you know needs help now, consult these resources or contact a professional mental health provider. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline : 988
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration : 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
• Veterans Crisis Line
• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

Mars Girolimon '21 is a writer and student at Southern New Hampshire University, pursuing a master's in English and creative writing. Connect with them on LinkedIn .

Explore more content like this article

Is a Bachelor's Degree Worth It?

Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?

Is an Associate Degree Worth It?

About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Springer Nature - PMC COVID-19 Collection

The Role of Mental Health on Workplace Productivity: A Critical Review of the Literature

Claire de oliveira.

1 Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK

2 Hull York Medical School, Hull and York, UK

3 Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada

4 Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Makeila Saka

Lauren bone, rowena jacobs, associated data.

Mental health disorders in the workplace have increasingly been recognised as a problem in most countries given their high economic burden. However, few reviews have examined the relationship between mental health and worker productivity.

To review the relationship between mental health and lost productivity and undertake a critical review of the published literature.

A critical review was undertaken to identify relevant studies published in MEDLINE and EconLit from 1 January 2008 to 31 May 2020, and to examine the type of data and methods employed, study findings and limitations, and existing gaps in the literature. Studies were critically appraised, namely whether they recognised and/or addressed endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity, and a narrative synthesis of the existing evidence was undertaken.

Thirty-eight (38) relevant studies were found. There was clear evidence that poor mental health (mostly measured as depression and/or anxiety) was associated with lost productivity (i.e., absenteeism and presenteeism). However, only the most common mental disorders were typically examined. Studies employed questionnaires/surveys and administrative data and regression analysis. Few studies used longitudinal data, controlled for unobserved heterogeneity or addressed endogeneity; therefore, few studies were considered high quality.

Despite consistent findings, more high-quality, longitudinal and causal inference studies are needed to provide clear policy recommendations. Moreover, future research should seek to understand how working conditions and work arrangements as well as workplace policies impact presenteeism.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40258-022-00761-w.

Key Points for Decision Makers

Introduction.

Mental health disorders in the workplace, such as depression and anxiety, have increasingly been recognised as a problem in most countries. Using a human capital approach, the global economic burden of mental illness was estimated to be US$$2.5 trillion in 2010 increasing to US$$6.1 trillion in 2030; most of this burden was due to lost productivity, defined as absenteeism and presenteeism [ 1 ]. Workplaces that promote good mental health and support individuals with mental illnesses are more likely to reduce absenteeism (i.e., decreased number of days away from work) and presenteeism (i.e., diminished productivity while at work), and thus increase worker productivity [ 2 ]. Burton et al. provided a review of the association between mental health and worker productivity [ 3 ]. The authors found that depressive disorders were the most common mental health disorder among most workforces and that most studies examined found a positive association between the presence of mental health disorders and absenteeism (particularly short-term disability absences). They also found that workplace policies that provide employees with access to evidence-based care result in reduced absenteeism, disability and lost productivity [ 3 ].

However, this review is now outdated. Prevalence rates for common mental disorders have increased [ 4 ], while workplaces have also responded with attempts to reduce stigma and the potential economic impact [ 5 ], necessitating the need for an updated assessment of the evidence. Furthermore, given that most of the global economic burden of mental illness is due to lost productivity [ 1 ], it is important to have a good understanding of the existing literature on this outcome. While the previous review focused on the prevalence of certain mental health conditions and the available interventions and workplace policies, this review focused on the measures of lost productivity and the instruments used, as well as the data and methods employed, which the previous review did not examine in depth. Thus, the objectives of this paper were to update the Burton et al. review [ 3 ] on the association between mental health and lost productivity, and undertake a critical review of the literature that has been published since then, specifically how researchers have studied this relationship, the type of data and databases they have employed, the methods they have used, their findings, and the existing gaps in the literature.

We undertook a critical review, i.e., a review that presents, analyses and synthesises evidence from diverse sources by extensively searching the literature and critically evaluating its quality [ 6 ], ultimately identifying the most significant papers in the field. 1 We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement [ 7 ] to guide our analysis. Our review focused on all studies published since 2008, which examined the relationship between mental health and workplace-related productivity among working-age adults. We used the Population, Intervention, Control, Outcomes, and Study design (known as PICOS) criteria to guide the development of the search strategy.

Eligibility Criteria

The populations of interest comprised working-age adults (18–65 years old). Studies focusing solely on volunteers and/or caregivers (i.e., unpaid workers) were excluded. The intervention(s), or rather more appropriately the exposure(s), had to be a diagnosis of any mental disorder/illness or self-reported mental health problem(s). Any studies that examined substance use and/or physical health in addition to mental health were included if results were reported separately for mental health-related outcomes. The control or comparator group, where applicable, included working age individuals without a mental disorder/illness or mental health problem(s). The outcome(s) included lost workplace productivity measured by absenteeism, presenteeism, sick leave, short- and/or long-term disability, or job loss. Studies that examined productivity of home-related activities (e.g., housework) were excluded. Studies with an observational study design and/or regression analysis were included; randomised control trials, cost-of-illness studies and economic evaluations were excluded (the first two were only included if they examined the relationship between mental health and lost productivity). Only original studies were considered; however, relevant reviews were retained for reference checking to find relevant studies, which may not have been captured by the search strategy.

Search Strategy

We searched literature published in English from 1 January 2008 to 31 May 2020. Structured searches were done in MEDLINE and EconLit to capture the most relevant literature published in the medical and economics fields, respectively. We also undertook relevant searches in Google and on specific websites of interest (e.g., UK Parliament Hansard, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Centre for Mental Health, the Health Foundation, the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the King’s Fund) and a hand search of the references of key papers [ 8 ]. Search terms or strings were developed on the basis of four concepts: population or workplace, intervention/exposure (i.e., presence of mental disorder/illness), work-related outcomes, and study design (see Table ​ Table1 1 ).

Concepts and search terms used to identify relevant studies

ADHD attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Study Selection

After duplicate records were removed, one reviewer (LB) screened all titles and abstracts while additional reviewers (CdO and RJ) were brought in for discussion, if/where necessary. Articles were excluded either because they did not examine the relationship between mental health and lost productivity (e.g., some cost-of-illness studies) or were mainly focused on physical health. Subsequently, all relevant full-text articles were retrieved and screened by one reviewer (LB) to confirm eligibility; additional reviewers (MS, RJ or CdO) were brought in, if/where necessary.

Data Extraction

Two reviewers (LB and MS) undertook the data extraction, and an additional reviewer (RJ or CdO) was assigned to resolve any disagreements. The research team developed a data extraction form, based on the Cochrane good practice data extraction form, which included study information (author(s), year of publication), country (where the study was published or conducted), aims of study, study design (cross-sectional, longitudinal), data source(s) (i.e., database(s), surveys/questionnaires), study population (sample size, age range), mental disorder(s) examined, workplace outcome examined (absenteeism, presenteeism, short-term disability, long-term disability, job loss, other), methods employed (statistical analysis, regression model employed), and results/key findings.

Quality Assessment

We reviewed the methods employed in the studies to assess their quality and robustness, drawing loosely on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, a risk-of-bias assessment tool for observational studies [ 9 ]. We paid particular attention to whether studies were able to move beyond simple associations and attempted to address causal inference, where necessary, and whether they took account of endogeneity (i.e., cases where the explained variable and the explanatory variable are determined simultaneously) and/or unobserved heterogeneity (i.e., cases where the presence of unexplained (observed) differences between individuals are associated with the (observed) variables of interest), which are common issues when examining the relationship between mental health and lost productivity. All studies that recognised and/or accounted for these issues were considered high quality. We also examined the type of data/databases employed (i.e., cross-sectional or longitudinal data and representative, population-based samples), findings, and limitations (and the extent to which these impacted the findings), which were also considered when determining the quality of a study.

Data Synthesis

Given the heterogeneity of studies examined, undertaking a meta-analysis was not possible. Therefore, we undertook a narrative synthesis of the relevant literature, where we synthesised the existing evidence by mental disorder/illness and workplace outcome (absenteeism, presenteeism, sick leave, short- and long-term disability, or job loss), if/where appropriate.

After all citations were merged and duplicates removed, our search produced 648 unique records, of which 89 full texts were assessed; four studies were obtained from other sources (e.g., Google searches). Ultimately, 38 studies were included in the final review [ 10 – 47 ] (see Fig. ​ Fig.1) 1 ) and relevant data were extracted (see Table ​ Table2 2 and Table A1 in the Appendix for more details).

PRISMA flow diagram

Details of included studies

Overview of Studies

All studies focused on individuals typically between the ages of 18 and 64/65 years. Some studies ( n  = 5) examined individuals 20 or 25 years and older [ 11 , 12 , 16 , 28 , 38 ] to account for younger individuals who might still be in school and thus not working, while other studies had different lower and upper age limits (e.g., age 15 [ 25 , 47 ] and age 60 [ 11 , 38 ] years, respectively). Most studies were from the USA ( n  = 10; 26%) and the Netherlands ( n  = 6; 16%); this result is line with the findings from a review of economic evaluations of workplace mental health interventions [ 48 ]. The remaining studies were from Australia ( n  = 4), Japan ( n  = 4), South Korea ( n  = 3), multiple countries ( n  = 4), Brazil ( n  = 1), Colombia ( n  = 1), Denmark ( n  = 1), Finland ( n  = 1), Norway ( n  = 1), Singapore ( n  = 1), and the United Kingdom ( n  = 1). Many studies did not specify the setting or industry or state the size of the firm where the study was undertaken (also found elsewhere [ 48 ]); consequently, this information was not included in the data extraction form.

Measures and Instruments/Tools Used

Mental health.

Most studies ( n  = 16) examined depression/depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder or other mood disorders (see Fig. ​ Fig.2). 2 ). Two studies examined anxiety and five studied both anxiety and depression. A smaller number of studies examined other disorders—three studies examined attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), two studies focused on bipolar disorder, one examined panic disorder, one studied binge-eating disorder, and one looked at other disorders including mental disorders (depressive symptoms and cognitive function). Three studies looked at mental health broadly speaking (two studies examined poor mental health and another studied common mental disorders). Finally, four studies examined multiple mental disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, emotional disorders, substance use disorders, ADHD). Some studies used a binary indicator for the presence/absence of a mental disorder/poor mental health, while other analyses used different aggregate measures of mental illness or psychological distress, based on the number of recorded symptoms.

Studies by mental disorder. ADHD attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

A variety of instruments/tools were used to measure mental health, depending on the disorder. Depression was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6 scale) [ 49 ], Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depression scale [ 50 ], Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) [ 51 ], Short General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) [ 52 ], Major Depression Inventory (MDI) [ 53 ], Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) [ 54 ], and Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) [ 55 ]. In studies that examined both anxiety and depression ( n  = 2), the authors used either the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) [ 56 ] or the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) [ 57 ]. In one study [ 42 ], severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory [ 58 ] and the Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology questionnaire [ 59 ], respectively. In another study [ 33 ], mood disorder was measured using the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) [ 60 ]. In one study [ 41 ], ADHD was assessed using the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) survey [ 61 ]; in another [ 35 ], it was assessed using the WHO Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale [ 62 ]. Panic disorders were measured using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale [ 63 ] in one study [ 16 ].

Lost Productivity

Nineteen studies examined both absenteeism and presenteeism, eight studies examined absenteeism only, two studies examined presenteeism only, and nine examined other or several workplace outcomes, such as employment, absenteeism, presenteeism, workplace accidents/injuries, short- and/or long-term disability, activity impairment and/or job loss (see Fig. ​ Fig.3 3 ).

Studies by workplace outcome

Five studies used the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire [ 64 ] (Beck et al. [ 27 ], Jain et al. [ 36 ], Able et al. [ 30 ], Asami et al. [ 31 ], Ling et al. [ 44 ]); three used the WHO’s Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HWP) [ 65 ] (Hjarsbech et al. [ 18 ], Woo et al. [ 38 ], Park et al. [ 16 ]) to determine absenteeism and presenteeism. A recent systematic review also found that that the WPAI was most frequently applied in economic evaluations and validation studies to measure lost productivity [ 66 ]. Two studies [ 12 , 20 ] used the Work Limitations Questionnaire [ 67 ]. Other studies used a variety of different instruments to measure lost productivity, such as the Trimbos/iMTA questionnaire for Costs Associated with Psychiatric illness (TiC-P) [ 68 ] (Bokma et al. [ 26 ]), the Short-Form Health and Labour Questionnaire [ 69 ] (Bouwmans et al. [ 45 ]), the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS) [ 70 ] (de Graaf et al. [ 23 ]) and the Endicott Work Productivity Scale [ 71 ] (McMorris et al. [ 33 ]). One study [ 43 ] made use of four work performance measures to examine lost productivity: WPAI [ 64 ], Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) [ 66 ], Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS) [ 71 ] and Functional Status Questionnaire Work Performance Scale (WPS) [ 72 ].

Data Sources and Methods

Most studies ( n  = 20) employed data collected through surveys/questionnaires, though some used publicly available datasets, such as the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey [ 29 ], the National Comorbidity Survey Replication [ 28 ] and the National Latino and Asian American Study [ 28 ], the US National Health and Wellness Survey [ 44 ], the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey [ 25 , 47 ], and the Singapore Mental Health Study [ 24 ]. One study used administrative claims data [ 32 ]. Three studies made use of linked data, such as Hjarsbech et al. [ 18 ], which linked questionnaires to the Danish National Register of Social Transfer Payments; Erickson et al. [ 43 ], which utilised questionnaires linked to medical records, and Mauramo et al. [ 34 ], which used survey data from the Helsinki Health Study linked to employer's register data on sickness absence. Only one study employed trial data [ 45 ]. Most studies ( n  = 29; 76%) employed cross-sectional data; few used longitudinal data ( n  = 9; 24%).

Several studies ( n  = 8) used regression analysis to examine the relationship between mental health and lost productivity, namely linear regression [ 11 , 17 ] and logistic regression models [ 25 , 29 , 42 , 45 ]. Two studies employed two-part models, where the first part examined the probability/odds of workers experiencing absenteeism, while the second part modeled the number of hours of absenteeism [ 10 ] or the number of work days missed [ 29 ]. One paper employed Poisson regressions to model the rate of work-lost days (absenteeism) and work-cut days (presenteeism) [ 34 ]. Another study computed Kaplan–Meier survival curves to estimate the mean and median duration of sickness absence due to depressive symptoms [ 40 ], and one estimated a Cox's proportional hazards model to analyse whether and to what extent depressive symptoms at baseline predicted time to onset of first long-term sickness absence during the 1-year follow-up period [ 18 ]. Only one study employed instrumental variables to address the potential endogeneity of the mental illness variable employed [ 28 ] and four employed longitudinal data models [ 13 , 20 , 25 , 47 ].

Evidence Synthesis

Almost all studies ( n  = 36) found a positive (and, many times, a strong) association between the presence of mental illness/disorders or poor mental health and productivity loss measured by absenteeism and/or presenteeism. Nevertheless, there were a few exceptions—one study found that mood disorders were associated with decreased presenteeism (i.e., work performance) but found no significant relationship between mood disorders and absenteeism [ 11 ]. Another study found that individuals with binge-eating disorders reported greater levels of presenteeism and lost productivity than those without but found no effect for absenteeism [ 44 ].

Many studies ( n  = 6) on depression examined both absenteeism and presenteeism where the presence of the former was positively associated with the latter (as was the case for studies, which examined only absenteeism and only presenteeism), and the latter was higher among those with higher severity of depression. These findings held in studies examining major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (though one study found that symptoms of mania or hypomania were not significantly associated with absenteeism) [ 14 ]. Studies examining depression and anxiety (and anxiety alone, including panic disorder) generally examined both absenteeism and presenteeism and found that these disorders were significantly associated with lost productivity. One study found that workers with binge-eating disorder reported greater levels of presenteeism than those without but no differences in absenteeism. All studies on ADHD ( n  = 3) examined both absenteeism and presenteeism and found ADHD was associated with more days of missed work and poor work performance. Studies looking at mental health (broadly defined) typically examined absenteeism only, finding a positive relationship between both, though the magnitude of the effect was found to be modest in one study [ 47 ]. Studies examining multiple disorders ( n  = 4) also examined both absenteeism and presenteeism. Overall, having a mental disorder was positively associated with lost productivity; however, one study found no significant relationship between mood disorders and alcohol use/dependence and absenteeism [ 11 ].

Many studies ( n  = 6) found that higher severity of the disorder or co-occurring mental health conditions was associated with greater productivity loss. For example, Knudsen et al. found that while comorbid anxiety and depression and anxiety alone were significant risk factors for absenteeism, depression alone was not [ 37 ].

Some studies examined outcomes separately for men and women ( n  = 5) or examined specific groups ( n  = 1). For example, Ammerman et al. examined high-risk, low-income mothers with major depression and found that depression significantly increased the likelihood of absenteeism (i.e., missing workdays) among this group [ 29 ]. However, beyond gender, studies did not report on differences by ethnicity/race and/or age.

Overall, we found that the literature on this topic continues to examine the most common mental disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety) using similar data sources and analysis techniques as the Burton et al. review [ 3 ] (see Table ​ Table3). 3 ). However, more recent literature shows that the positive relationship between the presence of mental disorders and lost productivity may not hold in all instances.

Comparison between the Burton et al. [ 3 ] and the de Oliveira et al. [current paper] reviews

The goal of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview and critical assessment of the most recent literature examining the relationship between mental health and workplace productivity, with a particular focus on data and methods employed. It provides clear evidence that poor mental health is associated with lost productivity, defined as increased absenteeism (i.e., more missed days from work) and increased presenteeism (i.e., decreased productivity at work). However, overall, only three studies were of high quality [ 25 , 28 , 47 ]. Studies with greater rigour and more robust methods, which accounted for unobserved heterogeneity for example, found a similar positive relationship but a smaller effect size [ 25 , 47 ].

Other reviews have also found large significant associations between measures of mental health and lost productivity, such as absenteeism [ 3 , 73 – 75 ]. For example, Burton et al. [ 3 ] found that depressive disorders were the most common mental health disorder among most workers, with many studies showing a positive association between the presence of mental health conditions and absenteeism, particularly short-term disability absences [ 3 ]. However, we found that studies employing superior methodological study design have shown the strength of the observed association may be smaller than previously thought.

Overall, our findings are in line with those from other reviews [ 73 – 75 ] and the Burton et al. study [ 3 ]. We too found that the most common disorder examined was depression, followed by depression and anxiety, the most studied workplace outcomes were both absenteeism and presenteeism, and that there was an association between mental disorders and both absenteeism and presenteeism. We found that studies employed a variety of data sources, from data collected from surveys/questionnaires to existing surveys and administrative data. Regression analysis was commonly used to examine the relationship between mental health and lost productivity, though there were some studies where the most appropriate regression model was not used given the outcome examined (e.g., linear regression models were used regardless of the type of outcome examined).

Some studies employed small sample sizes [ 20 , 43 ], which are not representative of the broader population and can thus impact the generalizability of findings, and other studies that did use nationally representative population samples employed cross-sectional designs [ 11 , 42 , 46 ], which can limit causal inference. Therefore, the vast majority did not examine the causal effect of mental health on lost productivity, but rather only the association between the two. A notable exception was Banerjee et al. [ 28 ], who examined the potential endogeneity of the mental illness variable used. Moreover, few studies employed longitudinal data, which can help account for unobserved heterogeneity (that may be correlated with both mental health and lost productivity) and minimise the potential for reverse causality and omitted variable bias; Wooden et al. [ 47 ] and Bubonya et al. [ 25 ] were notable exceptions. Wooden et al. found that the association between poor mental health and the number of annual paid sickness absence days was much smaller once they accounted for unobserved heterogeneity and focused on within-person differences [ 47 ]. For example, the incidence rate ratios for the number of sickness absence days for employed women and men experiencing severe depressive symptoms were 1.31 and 1.38, respectively, in the negative binomial regression models but dropped to 1.10 and 1.13, respectively, once the authors controlled for unobserved heterogeneity through the inclusion of correlated random effects. Thus, it may be that previous research has overstated the magnitude of the association between poor mental health and lost productivity. More studies with rigorous causal inference are required to help strengthen the ability to make informed policy recommendations.

Few studies explored the factors that might explain absenteeism and/or presenteeism due to mental health. Again, the study by Bubonya et al. was a notable exception [ 25 ], providing several important insights on the relationship between mental health and lost productivity. According to the authors, initiatives that limit and help workers manage job stress seem to be the most promising avenue for improving workers’ productivity. Furthermore, the authors found that presenteeism rates among workers with poor mental health were relatively insensitive to work environments, in line with other research from the UK [ 76 ]; consequently, they suggested that developing institutional arrangements that specifically target the productivity of those experiencing mental ill health may prove challenging. These findings are particularly important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic due to changes in work arrangements and workplaces (e.g., working from home while trying to balance work with home and care responsibilities, hybrid working arrangements, and ensuring workplaces have COVID-19-secure measures in place). This work will be of particular interest to employers and decision makers looking to improve worker productivity.

Most literature examined either depression or anxiety or both, the most common mental disorders. Few studies examined mental disorders such as ADHD, bipolar disorder and eating disorders, and no studies examined schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, personality disorder or suicidal/self-harm behaviour. More work is needed on these mental disorders, which, although less prevalent and thus less studied, are potentially more work disabling (despite already low employment rates for individuals with these conditions) [ 77 , 78 ]. Other research suggests there are important gender differences [ 25 , 28 ]. For example, Bubonya et al. found that increased job control can help reduce absenteeism for women with good mental health, though not for women in poor mental health [ 25 ]. Banerjee et al. found that the impact of poor mental health on the likelihood of being employed and in the labour force is higher for men [ 28 ]. Future research should ensure that gender differences, as well as other differences (e.g., age, industry, job conditions), are examined to ensure tailored polices are developed and implemented.

There is also a need to better understand the extent to which mental illness decreases productivity at work and the mechanisms through which this occurs, as this could help inform the role of employment policy and practices to minimise presenteeism [ 25 ]. Some research suggests that conducive working conditions, such as part-time employment and having autonomy over work tasks, can help mitigate the negative impact of mental health on presenteeism [ 76 ]. Alongside this, it is important to learn more about the dynamics of the relationship between mental illness and worker productivity to understand the trade-offs between presenteeism and absenteeism [ 25 ]. For example, it would be helpful to understand whether policies that incentivise workers with mental ill health to take time off improve overall productivity by reducing presenteeism. None of the studies in this review explored this trade-off. Finally, more rigorous research on this topic would help achieve a better understanding of the overall economic impact of mental disorders.

This review is not without limitations. It only included studies obtained from a few select databases and did not include grey literature, and only one reviewer screened the titles and abstracts (though the purpose was not to undertake a systematic review); however, it examined papers and reports from select websites of interest. Furthermore, this review only focused on the relationship between mental health and lost productivity. Although lost productivity is an important labour market outcome, there are other outcomes that mental health can impact such as labour force participation, wages/earnings, and part-time versus full time employment. Finally, this review only included studies published in English and therefore may have missed other relevant studies. Nonetheless, this review has several strengths. It provides an updated review on this topic, thus addressing a critical gap in the literature, and examined the type of data and databases employed, the methods used, and the existing gaps in the literature, thus providing a more comprehensive overview of the research done to date.

This review found clear evidence that poor mental health, typically measured as depression and/or anxiety, was associated with lost productivity, i.e., increased absenteeism and presenteeism. Most studies used survey and administrative data and regression analysis. Few studies employed longitudinal data, and most studies that used cross-sectional data did not account for endogeneity. Despite consistent findings across studies, more high-quality studies are needed on this topic, namely those that account for endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity. Furthermore, more work is needed to understand the extent to which mental illness decreases productivity at work and the mechanisms through which this occurs, as well as a better understanding of the dynamics of the relationship between mental illness and worker productivity to understand the trade-offs between presenteeism and absenteeism. For example, future research should seek to understand how working conditions and work arrangements as well as workplace policies (e.g., vacation time and leaves of absence) impact presenteeism.

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Acknowledgements

We thank Kath Wright for her help with the search strategy.

Declarations

No funding was received for this research.

None to declare.

Not applicable.

CdO and RJ conceived and developed the protocol study. LB undertook the search and screened all titles and abstracts. MS extracted the data. CdO and RJ adjudicated any discrepancies in the full-text review. CdO wrote the first draft of the manuscript. CdO and RJ supervised the project. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the manuscript. All authors take sole responsibility for the content.

1 This type of review differs from a systematic review, which seeks to systematically search for, appraise and synthesise existing evidence, often following existing guidelines on the conduct of a review.

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Mental Health — The Importance of Mental Health Awareness

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness

• Categories: Mental Health Social Isolation Stress Management

About this sample

Words: 1622 |

Updated: 4 November, 2023

Words: 1622 | Pages: 4 | 9 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, mental health awareness, video version, emotional well-being, psychological well‐being, social well-being.

• Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aginglifecarejournal.org/health-effects-of-social-isolation-and-loneliness/.
• Top of Form Mental Health Myths and Facts https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/mental-health-myths-facts
• Mental Health Care Services by Family Physicians Position Paper. American Academy of Family Physicians Web site. http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/policies/m/mentalhealthcareservices.htm. Accessed February 11, 2013. [Google Scholar]
• Newman, T. (2017, August 24). Mental health: Definition , common disorders, and early signs. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543.php.
• Bottom of Form Rodriguez, B. D., Hurley, K., Upham, B., Kilroy, D. S., Dark, N., & Abreu, E (n.d.).Happiness and Emotional Well-Being. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/understanding/index.aspx.
• World Health Organization. The Global Burden of Disease, 2004 Update. Part 4, Burden of Disease, DALYs. http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GBD_report_2004update_full.pdf . Accessed January 10, 2013. [Google Scholar]

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Nursing & Health

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

7 pages / 3006 words

5 pages / 2449 words

2 pages / 906 words

2 pages / 834 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Mental Health

The relationship between mental illness and homelessness is a deeply intertwined and complex issue that affects individuals and communities across the globe. This essay delves into the multifaceted connection between mental [...]

Mental health stigma is a pervasive issue that hinders individuals from seeking help, perpetuates myths, and marginalizes those who experience mental health challenges. This essay explores the nature of mental health stigma in [...]

Mental health stigma is a pervasive issue that has long hindered individuals from seeking the help they need and perpetuated damaging stereotypes and misconceptions. In this comprehensive essay, we will delve deeply into the [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has swept across the globe, has not only caused physical health concerns but has also had a profound impact on mental health. This essay, titled "How Does COVID-19 Affect Mental Health," delves [...]

“Eat your vegetables! Exercise! Get a good night's sleep!” We’ve all known to take care of our bodies since grade school P. E. class. But what about our mental health, isn’t mental health just as important as physical health? [...]

Vincent Willem Van Gogh was one of the most influential post-impressionist artists of his time. He created a variety of painting in his life, mostly in his last years before he committed suicide following years of mental illness [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• Mental Health Essay

Essay on Mental Health

According to WHO, there is no single 'official' definition of mental health. Mental health refers to a person's psychological, emotional, and social well-being; it influences what they feel and how they think, and behave. The state of cognitive and behavioural well-being is referred to as mental health. The term 'mental health' is also used to refer to the absence of mental disease. 

Mental health means keeping our minds healthy. Mankind generally is more focused on keeping their physical body healthy. People tend to ignore the state of their minds. Human superiority over other animals lies in his superior mind. Man has been able to control life due to his highly developed brain. So, it becomes very important for a man to keep both his body and mind fit and healthy. Both physical and mental health are equally important for better performance and results.

Importance of Mental Health 

An emotionally fit and stable person always feels vibrant and truly alive and can easily manage emotionally difficult situations. To be emotionally strong, one has to be physically fit too. Although mental health is a personal issue, what affects one person may or may not affect another; yet, several key elements lead to mental health issues.

Many emotional factors have a significant effect on our fitness level like depression, aggression, negative thinking, frustration, and fear, etc. A physically fit person is always in a good mood and can easily cope up with situations of distress and depression resulting in regular training contributing to a good physical fitness standard. 

Mental fitness implies a state of psychological well-being. It denotes having a positive sense of how we feel, think, and act, which improves one’s ability to enjoy life. It contributes to one’s inner ability to be self-determined. It is a proactive, positive term and forsakes negative thoughts that may come to mind. The term mental fitness is increasingly being used by psychologists, mental health practitioners, schools, organisations, and the general population to denote logical thinking, clear comprehension, and reasoning ability.

 Negative Impact of Mental Health

The way we physically fall sick, we can also fall sick mentally. Mental illness is the instability of one’s health, which includes changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviour. Mental illness can be caused due to stress or reaction to a certain incident. It could also arise due to genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, child abuse or trauma, social disadvantage, poor physical health condition, etc. Mental illness is curable. One can seek help from the experts in this particular area or can overcome this illness by positive thinking and changing their lifestyle.

Regular fitness exercises like morning walks, yoga, and meditation have proved to be great medicine for curing mental health. Besides this, it is imperative to have a good diet and enough sleep. A person needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night on average. When someone is tired yet still can't sleep, it's a symptom that their mental health is unstable. Overworking oneself can sometimes result in not just physical tiredness but also significant mental exhaustion. As a result, people get insomnia (the inability to fall asleep). Anxiety is another indicator. 

There are many symptoms of mental health issues that differ from person to person and among the different kinds of issues as well. For instance, panic attacks and racing thoughts are common side effects. As a result of this mental strain, a person may experience chest aches and breathing difficulties. Another sign of poor mental health is a lack of focus. It occurs when you have too much going on in your life at once, and you begin to make thoughtless mistakes, resulting in a loss of capacity to focus effectively. Another element is being on edge all of the time.

It's noticeable when you're quickly irritated by minor events or statements, become offended, and argue with your family, friends, or co-workers. It occurs as a result of a build-up of internal irritation. A sense of alienation from your loved ones might have a negative influence on your mental health. It makes you feel lonely and might even put you in a state of despair. You can prevent mental illness by taking care of yourself like calming your mind by listening to soft music, being more social, setting realistic goals for yourself, and taking care of your body. 

Surround yourself with individuals who understand your circumstances and respect you as the unique individual that you are. This practice will assist you in dealing with the sickness successfully.  Improve your mental health knowledge to receive the help you need to deal with the problem. To gain emotional support, connect with other people, family, and friends.  Always remember to be grateful in life.  Pursue a hobby or any other creative activity that you enjoy.

What does Experts say

Many health experts have stated that mental, social, and emotional health is an important part of overall fitness. Physical fitness is a combination of physical, emotional, and mental fitness. Emotional fitness has been recognized as the state in which the mind is capable of staying away from negative thoughts and can focus on creative and constructive tasks. 

He should not overreact to situations. He should not get upset or disturbed by setbacks, which are parts of life. Those who do so are not emotionally fit though they may be physically strong and healthy. There are no gyms to set this right but yoga, meditation, and reading books, which tell us how to be emotionally strong, help to acquire emotional fitness. 

Stress and depression can lead to a variety of serious health problems, including suicide in extreme situations. Being mentally healthy extends your life by allowing you to experience more joy and happiness. Mental health also improves our ability to think clearly and boosts our self-esteem. We may also connect spiritually with ourselves and serve as role models for others. We'd also be able to serve people without being a mental drain on them. 

Mental sickness is becoming a growing issue in the 21st century. Not everyone receives the help that they need. Even though mental illness is common these days and can affect anyone, there is still a stigma attached to it. People are still reluctant to accept the illness of mind because of this stigma. They feel shame to acknowledge it and seek help from the doctors. It's important to remember that "mental health" and "mental sickness" are not interchangeable.

Mental health and mental illness are inextricably linked. Individuals with good mental health can develop mental illness, while those with no mental disease can have poor mental health. Mental illness does not imply that someone is insane, and it is not anything to be embarrassed by. Our society's perception of mental disease or disorder must shift. Mental health cannot be separated from physical health. They both are equally important for a person. 

Our society needs to change its perception of mental illness or disorder. People have to remove the stigma attached to this illness and educate themselves about it. Only about 20% of adolescents and children with diagnosable mental health issues receive the therapy they need. 

According to research conducted on adults, mental illness affects 19% of the adult population. Nearly one in every five children and adolescents on the globe has a mental illness. Depression, which affects 246 million people worldwide, is one of the leading causes of disability. If  mental illness is not treated at the correct time then the consequences can be grave.

One of the essential roles of school and education is to protect boys’ and girls' mental health as teenagers are at a high risk of mental health issues. It can also impair the proper growth and development of various emotional and social skills in teenagers. Many factors can cause such problems in children. Feelings of inferiority and insecurity are the two key factors that have the greatest impact. As a result, they lose their independence and confidence, which can be avoided by encouraging the children to believe in themselves at all times. 

To make people more aware of mental health, 10th October is observed as World Mental Health. The object of this day is to spread awareness about mental health issues around the world and make all efforts in the support of mental health.

The mind is one of the most powerful organs in the body, regulating the functioning of all other organs. When our minds are unstable, they affect the whole functioning of our bodies. Being both physically and emotionally fit is the key to success in all aspects of life. People should be aware of the consequences of mental illness and must give utmost importance to keeping the mind healthy like the way the physical body is kept healthy. Mental and physical health cannot be separated from each other. And only when both are balanced can we call a person perfectly healthy and well. So, it is crucial for everyone to work towards achieving a balance between mental and physical wellbeing and get the necessary help when either of them falters.