In recent days, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) announced that outpatient mental health consultations for stress increased by 15%, from 88,000 in 2022 to 102,000 last year.<\/p>\n\n
Although work is not the only reason that generates stress,\u00a0Melissa Concepci\u00f3n<\/strong>\u00a0, CEO of\u00a0\u00a0SOS Trabajo<\/strong>\u00a0, warns of the need to properly manage work-related work loads and problems.<\/p>\n\n The specialist also mentions the impact on\u00a0\u00a0health<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0and the productive sector, since depression and anxiety, which are also associated with poorly managed stress, result in $1 billion a year in lost productivity.<\/p>\n\n Each year, 12 billion workdays are lost due to depression and anxiety, at a cost of $1 trillion per year in lost productivity, according to the World Health Organization.<\/p>\n\n Following the COVID-19 pandemic, workers assumed roles working from home, and now companies want to return to office work.<\/p>\n\n This change has destabilized many workers, as they have to make arrangements for childcare, parenting, and even see the increased costs of getting to work.<\/p>\n\n This increase in cases of work-related stress could be related to all the changes experienced since the pandemic until today.<\/p>\n\n The media has definitely made an effort worldwide to educate the public about mental health problems and their causes.<\/p>\n\n This has led more people to approach their doctors and express their experiences so they can be resolved and treated. Talking about mental health is no longer as taboo as it once was.<\/p>\n\n Everything has evolved for the well-being, not only of the workers, but also of the families involved.<\/p>\n\n When talking with employees about how to manage stress in the workplace, it’s important to keep in mind that we must structure the different work areas to ensure the company’s overall well-being, from the work environment to ensuring facilities comply with all necessary regulations.<\/p>\n\n This is because the focus at all times must be on maintaining a productive workforce focused on the functions they perform, not on any shortcomings the company may have that are causing them problems.<\/p>\n\n Some tips for companies to have a good work environment are:<\/p>\n\nWhat is the impact of stress and other mental health conditions on productivity?<\/h3>\n\n
Could it be that people are more willing to talk openly about their mental health issues, and that it’s not necessarily a growth?<\/h3>\n\n
What advice can be given to companies to address stress?<\/h3>\n\n