By Dr. Jessica Johnson
Guest Column
October 10 was World Mental Health Day, and the official theme was “It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” I’m sure this theme resonated well with Gen Z and younger millennial workers, as mental health has been a priority for them in achieving a good work-life balance.
For Gen Zers, mental health has in many ways become the signature concern of their generation, and it continues to be a primary focus for researchers studying the workplace preferences and demands of Zoomers. What I have noticed from reading articles on Gen Z employees is that many are pushing back against the traditional 9-to-5 work week that Gen Xers and older millennials were groomed for due to being raised by baby boomer parents. The pushback is a result of how COVID exacerbated the burnout that many people were feeling at the office long before the shutdowns forced them to work from home.
Tsuyoshi Akiyama, president of the World Federation for Mental Health, wrote on the organization’s website in April that the “COVID-19 pandemic pulled the curtain back on the dramatic need to address mental health issues in the workplace.” Akiyama’s essential points were that working adults spend more time at their jobs than “any other activity during their waking hours.” He went on to emphasize that “in a myriad ways, and at its best, work can provide a livelihood and be a source of meaning, purpose and joy. However, for too many people, work falls far short of its potential, failing to enhance our lives and detracting from our mental health and well-being in ways that result in excessive distress and mental ill health.”
I recently showed students in my English composition courses the PBS NewsHour report titled “How Gen Z is changing workplace expectations and attitudes,” and the Gen Zer featured in this segment gave his viewpoints on the importance of well-being early in his career, stating, “We’re being asked to take on jobs of three to four different people, meet those expectations and then exceed expectations, all while being paid (the) bare minimum. Quite frankly, me and my generation, we don’t see that as a substantial way of living.”
I’ve shared with my classes that I think it is great that their generation is standing up to not being overworked and overwhelmed, and they are realizing the value of a quality life at a young age.
Akiyama’s statement about us spending the bulk of our time on our jobs resonated with me as someone who is designated as mid-career. My work schedule is extremely busy due to my teaching load of grading essays and writing my weekly column. My students have found it amusing when I have stated that many people would view penning opinion pieces as a side hustle for a college professor, but it is still essential work for me, nonetheless.
Throughout my years of teaching and writing, I have often been stressed out over deadlines, especially if I fell behind my timetable for getting grades back to students. However, at this stage in my career, I am learning to slow down and not let work dominate my life.
I have also given more thought to this due to recent Bible study lessons from my pastor on putting God first. In our fast-paced world full of job responsibilities and personal to-do lists, it’s easy to put God on the back burner while we pursue the things we believe we must have. Yet, I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures in Matthew 6:21, where Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The Greek translation of “treasure” in this verse is “a deposit that is wealth literally or figuratively.” Going back to Akiyama’s point about the time spent on our jobs, I’m looking at my time as a wealth of abundance invested into what I prioritize.
While I obviously must put time into my job to do it well, it cannot supersede my relationship with God, and I am learning that as I make more time for God this ensures the stability of my mental well-being. I can then flourish in the purpose of my work and find joy and meaning as Akiyama stressed and not fall victim to the burden of a daily grind.
Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at The Ohio State University-Lima. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @JjSmojc. Her opinion does not necessarily represent the views of The Lima News or its owner, AIM Media.
