Everyday wellness
Work and Mental Health
Work can support mental health — or strain it. Learn how to manage work stress, spot early signs of burnout, ask for accommodations and use workplace support.
How work affects mental health
Meaningful work, supportive colleagues and a sense of control can benefit mental health. Excessive workload, job insecurity, lack of support and poor boundaries can harm it.
Managing work stress
- Clarify priorities with your manager when everything feels urgent.
- Take regular breaks and use your time off.
- Set boundaries around availability outside working hours.
- Break big tasks into smaller steps.
Recognizing burnout
Exhaustion, cynicism about your work and feeling less effective are key signs. Read signs you may be experiencing burnout.
Support at work
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) often provide free, confidential short-term counseling.
- Reasonable accommodations: in the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act may entitle people with mental health conditions to accommodations such as flexible schedules or modified duties.
- Occupational health or HR can explain policies and options.
Talking to your manager
You don’t have to share a diagnosis. Focus on what would help you work effectively — for example, adjusted deadlines or a quieter workspace.
When to seek professional help
Consider talking with a doctor or licensed mental health professional if symptomslast for more than two weeks, keep coming back, or make it harder to manage work, school, relationships or daily tasks. You don’t need to wait until things feel severe — getting support early often makes things easier.
If you’re thinking about harming yourself or are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).Crisis resources in other countries.
Explore care optionsReferences
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About this article
Written by
ExploreMentalHealth Editorial Team
Our editors research and write every article using government health agencies, professional medical organizations and peer-reviewed research, following our published editorial standards.
- First published
- September 15, 2026
- Last updated
- September 22, 2026
- Last medically reviewed
- Review pending