Health Challenges

Navigating Mental Health at Work

When our mental well-being is elusive

Every day, you step into your professional role navigating meetings, deadlines, and team dynamics. Yet, beneath the surface, you may be grappling with an unseen battle: mental health challenges. Whether it’s anxiety, burnout, depression, or feeling overwhelmed, these challenges can impact your work life in profound ways.

You might find it hard to focus on tasks. Your energy levels may fluctuate, with some days feeling draining and others manageable. Social interactions that once felt effortless can seem daunting, leading you to withdraw from colleagues and opportunities.

Let’s be real: women in North America experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to men, and this can be attributed to several factors including biases, microaggressions, trauma, and the double-workload.

Woman working while navigating chronic illness
Tired young businesswoman in the office

The Many Symptoms of Mental Health Challenges

Working women experiencing mental health challenges commonly report the following work-related difficulties:

  • Anxiety and Stress: Heightened anxiety can hinder the ability to concentrate and perform tasks effectively (CAMH, 2023).
  • Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness can affect motivation and engagement at work (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2021).
  • Cognitive Impairment: Difficulty with memory and decision-making can impact productivity and efficiency (CAMH).
  • Social Withdrawal: A tendency to isolate from colleagues can disrupt teamwork and collaboration (Mental Health Commission of Canada).
  • Physical Symptoms: Mental health issues can often manifest as physical symptoms, such as fatigue or headaches, complicating daily work routines (CAMH).

Sounds familiar?

Many women and individuals assigned female at birth will experience a range of mental health challenges that can impact their professional lives. While the severity and experience of the symptoms vary, nearly everyone finds it difficult in managing them effectively.

1 in 5

Approximately 20% of Canadian women will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2021).

3 in 4

Nearly 75% of those living with mental illness report that their symptoms interfere with their daily work life (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2023).

53%

Over half of women experiencing mental health challenges state they would be uncomfortable discussing these issues with their employers (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2023).

If you’re grappling with these symptoms of mental illness or feeling uncertain about managing them at work, know that you’re not alone. Many others share similar experiences and challenges.

At Gloria, we understand the complexities of mental health challenges because we’ve faced them ourselves, but it is important to clarify what we can and cannot do to support you as coaches:

  • We are not mental health professionals but are trained to recognize signs of mental health challenges
  • It can be appropriate to support you through coaching while you are also being helped by a mental health professional
  • We can coach you as it relates to your career, ambition and professional development goals, factoring in the intersection of mental health and professional responsibilities
  • We may suggest that you seek help from a trained professional (a trained professional could be a therapist, a social worker, a psychologist or any other recognized mental health expert that makes sense for you)
  • We may mutually decide to cease coaching while you address mental health with a trained professional

Contact us.

References

  1. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). “Anxiety.” (2023). CAMH.
  2. Mental Health Commission of Canada. “The Mental Health of Women in Canada: A Focus on the Crisis.” (2021). MHCC.
  3. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). “Understanding Depression.” (2023). CAMH.
  4. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). “Mental Health and Physical Health.” (2023). CAMH.
  5. Canadian Mental Health Association. “Mental Health at Work: The Impact of Mental Illness.” (2023). CMHA.
  6. Canadian Mental Health Association. “Workplace Mental Health: A Survey of Canadian Workers.” (2023). CMHA.

Disclaimer: This one-pager offers a summary of key topics in women's health, supported by research data and sources. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not replace detailed academic studies. For more comprehensive and detailed insights, please refer to the original research cited.