Mental Health at Work

by James Routledge

Paying attention to workplace mental health has never been more important. With one in four people experiencing poor mental health right now, we need to start talking about it.

Penguin Business Expert James Routledge has worked with CEOs, HR directors, managers and people at all levels on successful mental-health strategies. In this book, he shares his stories, learnings and guidance. Learn how to:

- Talk comfortably about mental health
- Create a more open and inclusive community in your workplace
- Implement unique changes that are authentic to you and your business

Filled with honest and relatable stories, 'conversation starters' and exclusive case studies from a diverse range of businesses and their people, Mental Health at Work will support anyone with their mental health in the workplace journey.

Genres: Mental Health, Nonfiction, Psychology

160 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

Reviews

[James Routledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote it so I am a little biased. Having read it back and read it aloud for 7 hours when I was recording the audiobook, here is my critical review of the book.

Pros:
- it’s easy to read and accessible. Sections are well broken down and it can be picked up over time, read in a day or read over a month.

- I like the part encouraging the reader to slow down and take it in at your own pace. Very few books do that.

- I like the journaling questions that encourage the reader to make up their own mind and do their own reflection which is a constant theme of the book.

- the case studies are unique and interesting.

- the cover is beautiful which makes it a nice book to have around and a constant source of mental health awareness, simply through its existence.

- I really liked writing the conclusion which links the mental health movement to wider societal and cultural movements.

Cons:
- there is some repetition about the reader needing to get started on their own mental health journey. I think this is referenced 3-4 times and only needs to be stated once or twice.

- I think I could have been more direct with what specific actions people can take and at times it’s a little vanilla and too non-directive. The desire was to let people come to their own conclusions, but more specific actionable takeaways would have been good.

- I could have been clearer on the definition of mental health and clearer on what my definition of mental health isn’t.

- the case studies are all from white people. I could have made more effort to make the case studies more representative and diverse; which would have made it a better book.

All in all I think it’s a good book that I’m proud of that could serve as a step in the right direction and source of inspiration for anyone interested in mental health at work.

[Thaveesha Piyasiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good intro book to start conversations about mental health and changing perceptions in the workplace. A nice easy read that doesn’t really get into the weeds.

[Triinu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minu arvamuse raamatust leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...

[Matt Hortomaris · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only aspect of mental health at ‘work’ this explores are either ‘if you’re the CEO or in HR, it’s all up to you’ and ‘if you’re not, the only thing you can do is look out for yourself’

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't mean to be rude. But to be quite honest, I think the content of the book was extremely vague and generic. It felt like a whole bunch of words that ultimately said almost nothing.

(And the author has written his own review on here so it seems he is already aware of some of the shortcomings of the book- hmmm I wonder if this was self-published?)

I think he wanted it to be generic, so as to be relevant to everyone - but in the end, having no specifics at all makes it relevant to no one.

Even the little stories in it were very vague and lacking details.

I think it also borders on dangerously optimistic - completely ignoring all the potential pitfalls of bringing up mental health at work. So a reader could really get themselves into some trouble if they read the book, which never mentions that not all employee efforts are well received by leadership - and can in fact get an employee into quite a bit of hot water, depending how defensive / sensitive / egotistical / etc their organization's leadership is.

I also thought it was strange that he didn't speak about any (specific) personal experiences of "bringing mental health to work" (unless they were way in the beginning and I don't remember them).

[Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think we’re past that point now where we need to understand the benefits of addressing mental health and how it is a ‘movement’. What we need is an education for menial level workers and guidance on how they can bring about change in a company that either fails to take mental health seriously or washes it down with activities that don’t make any real difference. I am really disappointed by this book and I really doubt it’s credibility, I know KFC of all food outlets is a very depressing place of work for people, who are massively underpaid compared with its competitors. I would not buy this book.

[Awaisha Inayat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am intrigued by the concept of "Mental Health Gym" by James Routledge.

At work people can be magic if you are honest with them. This book is an optimistic outlook to mental health at work.

I do believe that, deep down, most of us are capable of empathy. Some of us might have to work hard at it, but we are all able to identify with others amidst work situations. In being transparent about our problems at work, it is to important remember that, while most people do want to help, listen and understand, they may be reliant on you actually asking them to. Not everyone is perceptive enough to pick up on when you are feeling bad, but it doesn’t mean they don’t care. The world doesn’t stop turning when you are open about your mental health nor should it.

Realizing that people usually just want to get on with their lives with you in it, in whatever capacity you can manage, is important. If you need to be listened to for a while, you might have to say so. Reach out. Reach to your team, your sub-ordinated, your managers.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Panin ca 65. lehekülje peal kõrvale. Ma ei süvenenud piisavalt kokkuvõttesse ja seetõttu arvasin pealkirjast, et raamat tegeleb töökohal vaimse tervise hoidmise või parandamisega. Kogu raamat räägib aga sellest, kuidas vaimsest tervisest töökohal rääkida... Ja ega seegi eriti "ahhaa!" momente ei tekitanud, sest raamatu ilmumisest on aeg edasi läinud ja vaimne tervis ei ole enam ka töökeskkonnas tabuteema.

[Stefania · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have found the book pointing out to the wrong people.
the first part he talks a lot about if you have a bad day, is because you allow it.
the truth is that in some environments speaking loudly means that you become a trouble maker. at the same time, some changes has to come from the directory level in the company.

to be honest, I was expecting more about " what a company can do for helping with mental health their people "
quite disappointing

[Abbi Senior · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started in the right place but quickly became repetitive and boring as many of the chapters focused on elements that were basically similar, and were massively overwritten - the journal prompts was a nice idea but poorly executed as many of the prompts were indistinct from others as the book went on.

[Julian Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, the authors open and honest approach to maintaining good mental health in the workplace show clear benefits to both employees and employers. If you are looking for advice on how to improve the culture at the company you work for 'Mental Health at Work' is the perfect place to start.

[Milos Radosavljevic · Rating 3 out of 5]

The nice thing about this book is that it does not advice you how to do it but to just talk about mental health and that it is not a once set it and forget it thing but that you have to work on it constantly.

[Joshua Rout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book that challanges established concepts of mental health deserves a 5*
I only wish it was longer!

[Ines Relvas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading this book, as it is so easy and simple yet inspiring, filled with thought provoking questions. A quick read I recommend to anyone even only slightly interested on the topic

[Anita Kirotar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minu jaoks jäi pisut pealiskaudseks antud teema puhul, kuid samas pani kindlasti mõtted käima praeguse ettevõtte osas ja tulevaste praktikate teemal.

[Norina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for awareness and normalising, but it lacks specifics.