Work/life balance is important, but what do you do when work starts to take over your life? What if work is causing you to experience burnout or mental health problems?
In this post, explore the decision of quitting your job for your mental health as we share common mental health conditions and how to spot changes in mental health, explore reasonable workplace accommodations and identify signs you might consider quitting your job.
Common Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions can affect anyone, and they can have a significant impact on work performance. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. There are a variety of mental health conditions that can impact professionals in several fields. Some of the most common ones include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Each condition has its own unique symptoms, which can vary depending on the individual’s job and career. For example, someone with OCD might experience intrusive thoughts about making mistakes at work, while someone with depression might feel unmotivated and disengaged from their job.
It is important to be aware of these conditions and how they may affect your work performance. If you are experiencing any symptoms that are impacting your ability to do your job, it is important to seek help from a qualified professional.
Spot Changes in Mental Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 71% of working adults experience at least one symptom of stress, including headaches, and feelings of anxiety. These could be signs of changing mental health.
Symptoms of Mental Illness in Yourself:
It can be difficult to identify symptoms of mental illness in yourself. You may feel like you are just having a bad day or that you are overreacting. However, there are some common symptoms of mental illness that you should watch out for.
- Changes in mood or behavior such as irritability, anger, or excessive crying
- Withdrawing from friends and activities
- Changes in eating habits or sleep patterns
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
Symptoms of Mental Illness at Work:
Mental health problems do not always stay at home. Sometimes they follow us to work where they can have a negative impact on our work performance and productivity. It is important to be aware of the signs of mental illness in ourselves and others so that we can take action before things spiral out of control.
Some signs that you may be struggling with mental illness at work include:
- Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
- Excessive absences or tardiness
- Low work productivity
- Inability to meet deadlines
- Poor work performance
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, there is no shame in seeking help for mental illness and many people recover with treatment. Employers may even have resources to support you.
Explore Employer Accommodations
Mental health is often viewed as an individual responsibility to deal with in the workplace. However, mental health is just like physical health – it takes a team effort to maintain it. Workplaces can be proactive in creating a mentally healthy work environment by providing resources for employees and recognizing the signs of mental illness.
AS AN EMPLOYEE
- Flextime: Can you adjust the hours you work to better suit your most productive time?
- Location: Can you work from home or in some hybrid capacity?
- Hours: Can you reduce your hours for a span of time or job share?
- Work: Can you change the type of work you’re doing at your current company?
AS AN EMPLOYER
- Provide mental health awareness training to employees.
- Offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that include counseling and mental health services.
- Encourage work/life balance to prevent burnout.
- Promote healthy work habits, such as taking breaks and getting enough sleep.
- Support employees who experience mental health problems.
Mental health is a critical part of the workplace and should be taken seriously by both employees and employers. Employees should feel comfortable seeking accommodations for mental health issues, and employers should work to create a healthy work environment that supports employee mental health.
Identify Signs You Should Consider Quitting Your Job
When experiencing burnout or feeling overwhelmed at work, it can be tough to know when it’s time to quit. If you’ve explored what you can change in your current role and it’s still not working, it may be time to quit. If your mental health condition is causing you to miss work or making it difficult to do your job, it may also be time to quit. If you’re struggling to keep up with work due to your mental health condition, or if work is causing your condition to worsen, it’s probably time to go.
Of course, quitting a job is a big decision, and it’s not something to take lightly. Before making a final decision, be sure to weigh all your options and consult with a mental health professional. They can help you decide if quitting is the right step for you.
- You are constantly exhausted and do not have the energy to do anything outside of work.
- You experience frequent headaches, stomachaches, or other physical ailments.
- Your work is negatively impacting your home life or personal relationships.
- You feel trapped in your job or like you cannot escape.
- You dread going to work each day.
- You feel like you are not reaching your full potential at work.
- Your mental or emotional health is deteriorating as a result of your job.
Quitting a job can be a difficult decision, but sometimes it is the best thing for your mental health. If you are struggling with mental illness at work, have explored workplace accommodations and still feel like you cannot continue working, it may be time to quit. If you can, before making any final decisions, consult with a mental health professional to examine your options. This can help you get a better sense of whether it’s the role itself or an underlying challenge to help resolve. There is no shame in any of it and ultimately, it’s your choice and mental health to support you in your success.
