Mental Health in Workplace: How Technology Helps

Mental Health is one of those topics that is being spoken about a lot more within recent times more specifically, in the workplace. So what is mental health really? According to the WHO, mental health is the foundation for the wellbeing and effective functioning of individuals. On the other hand, occupational health is the maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social wellbeing of workers in all occupations. In simple terms, good  occupational health = good mental health. A poor mental health really can be detrimental to job performance and productivity which can ultimately end in dissatisfaction within the workplace. Work environment and in severe cases – unemployment. Therefore it is necessary to acknowledge and balance mental health in workplace. And prioritise it within the Occupational Health standards of the company or organisation. Although mental health issues were on the rise (13% increase in the last decade until 2017) before the world was plagued with the viral Covid-19 disease, very little emphasis was placed on resources to help those suffering from the mental health disorders and even controlling said cases especially in the workplace. Employees faced long, stressful hours on a daily basis which put an unfortunate strain on their mental health. That is until early 2020 with the dawn of COVID-19. Any progress made in setting up mental health services were put on hold so many persons were left fending for themselves and a new wave of mental health issues swept the world. Why?

1. There was an  increased fear of getting infected: “Coronaphobia” was added to the list of phobias as persons  lived in uncertainty and fear not only of contracting the virus but also of the side effects to this new virus that was being uncovered more and more each day.
2. Adjusting to the new normal: there was a loss of daily structure, changes in routine and lifestyle and isolation. This proved to be difficult for many who do not do too well with change and being alone.
3. Unemployment: the pandemic left many businesses closed for months resulting in many persons losing their jobs which put them under financial stress
4. Death of loved ones: witnessing the death of 1 or more loved ones at the hands of this merciless disease was taxing on the mental health of many persons who, as a result, may have required external assistance in dealing with such losses.

The onset of the pandemic did however have one positive effect. The introduction of online access to Counselors, Psychologists and Psychiatrists as well as increased reliance on E-prescribing for access to prescription medication electronically. People now have greater access to mobile mental health services via media like apps, websites and even video conferences. This is now a way for business owners to provide the help which many of their employees require with greater ease. Not only is it easy, but people may feel more comfortable sharing with the professionals from the safety and comfort of their homes. Decades ago, no one could have imagined the possibility of on the go support or getting help from home.

How does Cellma help mental health functions within the workplace?

Cellma includes functionality that can be customised for usage by mental health professionals and Occupational Health services alike. Cellma’s Referral Management functionality allows for employees or patients alike to be referred to the necessary attending mental professional electronically so as to limit unauthorised knowledge of said referral. All notes made by the attending doctor or counsellor is restricted for unauthorised usage. Employees can be notified via email or text of their appointment date and times and if they wish to reschedule or cancel, they can do so by the same medium. Cellma also allows for video consultations through its Telemedicine module where patients can access sessions with the mental health professional via video calls. This allows for easier accessibility for counselling sessions and therapy while the patient may be on the go. For additional information on how Cellma can assist mental health functionality within the workplace or within a healthcare environment, reach out to us!

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