A news headline states, ‘Around 30 cops die by suicide every year in Kerala due to work pressure’. The Intelligence Department in the state found that around 30 police personnel commit suicide in the state every year due to work pressure and mental stress. And around 100 police officers seek voluntary retirement owing to the same reasons.
This tragic situation contradicts Kerala’s renowned status of achieving 100% literacy, projecting how even in such an educated society, workplace stress can lead to such unfortunate outcomes.
Despite the relatively high standard of living and lower birth and death rates in Kerala compared to the national average, the state stands out with a high suicide rate of 26.3 per 100,000 people, surpassing all other states in this regard. Though family problems are cited as the major cause of suicide, work-related stress also plays a crucial role. Study shows women handle workplace stress relatively better than men. A fact to be noted is that most of the female suicide victims were home makers.
In today’s world many people face a lot of stress and long work hours without proper supervision. This can make employees feel mentally stressed. This when coupled with the abuse or mistreatment from their bosses, can push some people to think about suicide because they can’t handle the pressure.
When you are really unhappy at work and feel like your job is slowing killing you and if you are losing the will to live, you are stressed. If you start thinking about hurting yourself or others, it’s a sign that you need help because you’ve reached your limit for dealing with the stress.
When you encounter new situations or difficulties, your body reacts both physically and mentally. This is what we call stress. It becomes harmful when it continues without any relief or moments of relaxation.
Numerous studies from around the world have shown the health risks associated with stress at work. Most experts agree that an uncontrolled and stressful work environment can be bad for a person’s mental well-being. Stress can even lead to severe mental conditions such as depression and anxiety.
So are you bullied or harassed at work? Are you feeling underestimated and overlooked? Are you being asked to work for long hours? Are you being forced to do things you don’t agree with? Are you in conflict with bosses and co-workers? Are you concerned about your job security?
If you find yourself saying “yes” to any of these, it indicates that you’re facing difficulties at your workplace. If you find yourself agreeing with more than one of the points mentioned, you are experiencing a higher level of stress. It’s essential to seek help, talk to someone you trust about your thoughts and feelings. Try to engage in activities that bring you joy and provide a distraction from the stress.
Many workplaces have a dedicated Human Resource Department (HR) to assist and support their employees. If you are experiencing mental or physical harassment at your office, don’t hesitate to reach out to the HR department. It’s also beneficial to work on changing your perspective on the issue and maintain a positive outlook. If none of these efforts yield results, consider leaving the job, as nothing is more valuable than your own well-being and life.
Employees form the foundation of an organization’s operations and growth. It is crucial for employers to provide a stress-free work environment to maximize productivity. Therefore, it’s important for employers to acknowledge work-related stress as a significant health and safety concern. Organizations and companies have the capacity and responsibility to take measures to prevent unnecessary stress among their employees. This includes ensuring a safe workplace, providing adequate training, open communication for addressing concerns, implementing a stress management policy in collaboration with employees, considering their personal lives, and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals when necessary.
Comments