Category: Mental Health

The Economics of Mindfulness: Why Wellbeing Is a Business Case

April 23, 2025by Awareness NewsLeave a comment

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Reframing Wellbeing in the Modern Workplace

As the nature of work becomes increasingly complex, digital, and fast-paced, employee wellbeing has emerged as a critical driver of organizational success. Far from being a peripheral HR topic, psychological wellbeing directly impacts core business outcomes – from productivity and innovation to turnover and engagement. The notion that investing in wellbeing is costly or optional is increasingly contradicted by empirical evidence showing that it is, in fact, a smart economic decision.

Workplaces where employees report higher levels of subjective wellbeing – particularly job satisfaction – demonstrate significantly better performance outcomes, including labor productivity, output quality, and profitability. These relationships persist even when controlling for other HR policies, highlighting wellbeing as a distinct and measurable source of competitive advantage.

Moving Beyond Perks: Systemic Approaches to Wellbeing

Workplace wellness initiatives often focus on individual-level solutions like meditation apps, fitness memberships, or lunchtime yoga. While these efforts may reduce short-term stress, they fail to address the structural conditions that give rise to chronic strain, disengagement, and mental health risks.

Interventions are more effective at the organizational or group level. Changes to work schedules, job roles, or team dynamics – especially those that increase employees’ control and participation – have demonstrated a broader and more sustainable impact on wellbeing. Employees who have autonomy in their tasks and a voice in how work is structured consistently report higher levels of job satisfaction, lower stress, and improved work–life balance. These outcomes are amplified in environments that support open communication and shared decision-making.

Such systemic approaches suggest that wellbeing is not the result of individual resilience, but of healthy, empowering work environments that are intentionally designed.

Technology and the New Frontier of Workplace Wellbeing

In response to hybrid and remote work environments, organizations are increasingly turning to digital tools to support mental health and wellbeing. From immersive virtual reality (VR) environments that simulate calming nature scenes to AI-based tools that monitor emotional states via facial expressions, biometric data, or tone of voice, technology now plays a growing role in the design of workplace wellbeing strategies.

Virtual reality programs have shown promising results in reducing stress and promoting relaxation in various workplace settings. Even short VR interventions with nature-based visuals or guided breathing exercises have been associated with measurable improvements in employee wellbeing. These technologies can serve as accessible and time-efficient micro-breaks, particularly in demanding or high-pressure environments.

At the same time, the use of emotional AI raises critical ethical concerns. While emotion-recognition systems promise to enhance management decisions and detect early signs of burnout, they also risk turning the workplace into a zone of surveillance. Monitoring affective states without transparent consent or context can undermine psychological safety rather than support it. If technologies are used to control rather than empower employees, they may backfire – reducing trust and increasing stress.

The key lies in intentional design and ethical implementation. When used responsibly and transparently, digital wellbeing tools can extend access to support and complement systemic approaches to workplace culture. However, technology must remain a tool – not a substitute – for genuine human connection, autonomy, and care.

Wellbeing as a Catalyst for Innovation

Wellbeing not only prevents burnout – it enables innovation. Employees who perceive their work as meaningful and values-aligned are more likely to engage in creative thinking, share new ideas, and take initiative. When employees experience purpose and psychological safety, their engagement spills over into behaviors that benefit the organization as a whole.

Studies indicate that this effect is strengthened when organizational values align with employees’ own spiritual or ethical beliefs. A sense of authenticity and shared purpose in the workplace fosters emotional connection, which in turn drives proactive contributions and innovative work behavior.

Resilience as a Buffer to Emotional Strain

In emotionally intense or high-stakes sectors, such as healthcare, workplace resilience plays a critical role in protecting psychological wellbeing. Employees working under high stress, such as nurses in mental health services, report substantially better wellbeing when they experience resilience-supportive conditions like strong team relationships, opportunities for growth, and autonomy in clinical decisions. Higher resilience levels are associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and mental distress – even when job demands remain high.

These findings affirm multidimensional models of wellbeing, which emphasize not just happiness or the absence of illness, but the capacity to grow, feel connected, and exercise agency in the face of adversity.

From Support Programs to Cultural Shift

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) remain widely used and often valued as accessible tools for short-term counselling and support. However, their long-term effectiveness depends on integration with broader workplace strategies. EAPs that operate in isolation, without addressing organizational culture or workload issues, may offer limited benefits. When combined with systemic measures – such as leadership development, trauma-informed management, or inclusive policy changes – EAPs can serve as effective pillars within a comprehensive wellbeing strategy.

Designing for Sustainable Human Performance

The research is clear: organizations that invest in structural wellbeing – not just individual coping – unlock higher engagement, greater innovation, and stronger business outcomes. Mindfulness, autonomy, psychological safety, and meaningful work are not luxury goods; they are essential design principles for the future of work.

The economics of mindfulness lies in creating environments where people can thrive – not just survive. In doing so, companies don’t just promote wellbeing – they build better, more adaptive organizations for the long term.

Sources

Bryson, A., Forth, J., & Stokes, L. (2017). Does employees’ subjective well-being affect workplace performance? Human Relations, 70(8), 1017–1037.

Delgado, C., Roche, M., Fethney, J., & Foster, K. (2021). Mental health nurses’ psychological well-being, mental distress, and workplace resilience. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 30, 1234–1247.

Fox, K. E., Johnson, S. T., Berkman, L. F., Sianoja, M., Soh, Y., Kubzansky, L. D., & Kelly, E. L. (2022). Organisational- and group-level workplace interventions and their effect on multiple domains of worker well-being: A systematic review.Work & Stress, 36(1), 30–59.

Kirk, A. K., & Brown, D. F. (2003). Employee assistance programs: A review of the management of stress and wellbeing through workplace counselling and consulting. Australian Psychologist, 38(2), 138–143.

Riches, S., Taylor, L., Jeyarajaguru, P., Veling, W., & Valmaggia, L. (2024). Virtual reality and immersive technologies to promote workplace wellbeing: A systematic review. Journal of Mental Health, 33(2), 253–273. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2023.2182428

Mantello, P., & Ho, M. T. (2024). Emotional AI and the future of wellbeing in the post-pandemic workplace. AI & Society, 39, 1883–1889. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01639-8

Salem, N. H., Ishaq, M. I., Yaqoob, S., Raza, A., & Zia, H. (2022). Employee engagement, innovative work behaviour, and employee wellbeing: Do workplace spirituality and individual spirituality matter? Business Ethics, Environment & Responsibility, 32(3), 657–669.

Mara Blanz

Research Editor & Editor

EC 25th of October – Morning sessions

November 8, 2024November 8, 2024by Awareness NewsLeave a comment

Reading time: 10 minutes

The second day of the Conferences was dedicated mainly to the themes of environment and health, with opening remarks given by Helena Canhão, the Dean at Nova Medical School, who introduced the day highlighting the need of reshaping the essence of medical education: students need to be not only skilled but also open to diversity, compassionate and equipped with a leadership capacity. Furthermore, Helena brought up the relevant issue of longevity as a challenge and opportunity for future doctors, recognizing the urgency of this issue, which is currently being explored by the Nova Longevity Institute. This collaboration between Nova Medical School, Nova School of Business and Economics and Sir Richard Roberts is a pioneering center of research and implementation of measures for longevity accessible to all.

Fernando Alexandre, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, also took part in this first segment, focusing the increasing complexity of the world and challenges it poses to democracies. As many shocks, such as epidemics, wars and climate change, have made the world progressively volatile, education and innovation have become instrumental pillars to foster trust in democracies and fight populist ideas, which simplify solutions for complex problems. Thus, to find the best suited policies and make informed decisions about a country’s future, everyone should be guaranteed equal opportunities to access education.

Innovation, as result of human capital and science investment, naturally leads to solutions for global problems.

Peace Talk

The first panel debate delved into the peace thematic, and was between former Presidents, Dalia Grybauskaite (Lithuania) and Elbegdorj Tsakhia (Mongolia), accompanied by former Prime Minister, Mehdi Jomaa (Tunisia), and moderated by Rebecca Abecassis, Editor, Expert, Author & Producer of European News Programs with RTP Portugal. The debate was centred around multilateralism and whether it could still be a powerful peace promoting tool.

Dalia Grybauskaite introduced the proposed theme tracing back to 2014, when she warned world leaders that Russia was a terrorist state with a dangerous President. After meeting with Putin in 2010, she realized that Lithuania could not depend on Russia for energy, as the latter was using it to make countries dependent on it for a future expansion. This prompted the ultimate decision for Lithuania to become energetically independent from Russia. Grybauskaite concluded her statement further inferring that negative leadership and dictatorship is growing and promoting its brutal power, mentioning that Putin has already presented himself as an “Informal leader of the World”. This argument was supported by Mongolia’s former President, who adds that change starts now:

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

As the debate progressed, Mehdi Jomaa advanced a different perspective, as he is not in the first line of fire of the discussed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Accordingly, society is leaving a world order (post WW2), in favour of arising disturbance and conflict, with injustice feeding the current global issues. He then mentions that Tunisia is a part of the Non-Aligned movement, so it has neutral position. But it is a part of the new global south: There is an emergence of new powers, the global south is an expression of the will to reorganize the world and be connected to what is happening but also the need for negotiation around the tables and not with weapons.

He further expanded on the conflict and political instability in Palestine, emphasizing that it should be given equivalent support as Ukraine but is not.

We are living a double standard. When it’s about global powers we show interest, but otherwise we don’t. Where is the UN and its Security Council? Palestinians have the right to be self-determined and peace needs to emerge through respect of international law.

The recent death of Hamas leaders is not enough, the support of the US and EU is crucial to assure Palestinians right to live and kick start peace talks. Medhi concludes by highlighting the need to work towards justice and the respect of international law.

The debate ends with Tsakhia’s last statement, noting that there is still a good global trend in a want for a better future, with more than 140 countries having voted for the Pact for the Future. He believes in a brighter and more prosperous future for the world.

Health & Longevity

The conferences then moved on to Health & Longevity, with a Nobel Talk given by Sir Richard Roberts, Chief Scientific Officer at New England Biolabs. The 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Laureate argued that bacteria are not always the villain, as it titles the speech “Why we should love bacteria”.

Sir Richard contextualizes the audience by stating that every human has 10 to 14 bacterial cells in their body keeping them alive: help with digestion and keep the skin in good condition, for instance. Despite its visible strengths, bacteria still have a bad name to them due to the perceived notion that these are at the root of most diseases.

“There is so much we don’t know about them and yet they are essential.”

The concept of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is then introduced, as more than 700 million people face hunger, and 60 million children’s growth is stunted because they do not have access to the proper nutrients and food. Thanks to the biotech revolution, scientists know how to breed plants in better ways, make them more nutrient dense.

However, Greenpeace has been advertising against GMOs without evidence of their danger, leading the European parliament to ban them. To reverse such decision 172 Nobel Laureates have supported an open letter to Greenpeace and every UN Ambassador urging an acknowledgement that GMO technology is safe and should be supported for the sake of the developing world, who desperately need improved yielding crops with added nutritional value.

Moreover, climate change is devastating life as we know it and greenhouse gas emissions are a major problem. Bioengineered crops can help the food supply, to mitigate climate change, by making crops consume more CO2 out of the atmosphere.

The next talk explores the theme of longevity, introduced in the beginning of morning, as the two guest speakers answer the question: Is the obsession with health turning ageing into a medical condition?

For the past decades, the growing aging population has been perceived as a burden, due to more need of assistance, which has led to the concepts of successful ageing versus bad ageing. Thus, people are turning common experiences of ageing into diseases and starting to diagnose too early, which is the issue tackled by speakers Alexandra Brandt Jonsson, medical anthropologist and associate professor of health and society at Roskilde University in Denmark, and John Brandt Brodersen, general practitioner and professor at the Centre of General Practice University of Copenhagen and the Research Unit for General Practice.

Overdiagnosis can have three types: Over-detection, over-definition and disease mongering, which regards the widening of diagnostic boundaries to expand treatment market. Moreover, experiencing a decrease in physical and cognitive abilities is seen as a danger, not part of the idea of “successful ageing”, contributing to an overdiagnosis of natural challenges that come along with age.

To further explore the matter and its impact on the environment, the guest speakers brought empirical data: 80% of carbon footprint of healthcare comes from clinical activity, with 60% of which being evidence-based care, 30% being of low value, and 10% being harmful care, directly aligned with overdiagnosis. By reducing the 40%, the carbon footprint can be reduced by 1/3, and resources allocation improves in efficiency. However, the growing tendency to progressively medicalize foments the need for macro action.

Planet Talks

The Planet Talks of the morning are introduced by Elizabeth Kite’s inspirational talk on what could be learnt from the world’s most vulnerable nations in order to lead better. Kite dedicated the talk to sharing her insights on how resilience and leadership in Tonga, the world’s third most vulnerable nation to natural disasters and rising sea levels, can guide society toward creating a more sustainable and inclusive future. This line of thought is further explored in the next talk, with guest speaker Rui Diogo, Multi-awarded researcher and writer, who debated how critical global issues can be addressed through the convergence of ancient wisdom and modern science.

Food systems and biodiversity are also focal points when addressing the climate and environmental sustainability. Professor Carlos Gonçalo das Neves and Meghan Sapp discuss how regenerative agriculture and practices are essential for a successful systemic transformation, in an insightful conversation moderated by Gabriela Ribeiro.

The former talks paved the way for the next panel debate about energy and climate change management, powered by EDP. Guest speakers Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive Director of UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services), and Michael Liebreich, chairman and CEO of Liebreich Associates and Co-Managing Partner of EcoPragma Capital, join moderator Vera Pinto Pereira, to address inclusive strategies to drive energy transitions in today’s world. The audience is given context on the shared goal of the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels, implying a net zero CO2 emissions globally by 2050, and Jorge Moreira da Silva opens the debate by arguing that the issue has trespassed climate, including now inequality and an overall sustainability crisis.

Both speakers agree that there is a need for generosity and solidarity, from developed countries, towards the countries who don’t have the means for an energetic transition.

The energy transition is about more than going green and the climate, it is about social impact.

Policies and investments play, thereby, a crucial role, however, these need to be backed by an actual capacity of implementation, especially in the less developed countries. It was also noted that innovation plays a vital role, even more so if it is present in all the intertwined sectors mentioned: not just science, but also political and financial. Engineers and scientists are essential, but would need the support of business professionals, to help scaling up and take the technologies forward, as well as that of politicians, to raise ambition and implement the policies needed to spread the technologies

The speakers did have diverging opinions in terms of optimism of reaching the 1.5ºC goal: Jorge Moreira da Silva takes an optimist stand, arguing that the developed countries can surely reach this goal but need to help the rest of the world to do so as well, whereas Liebreich was more pessimistic about the threshold being reached in time.

Policy Talk

Before the lunch break, the audience is presented a brief talk with Sarah Aswhin, head of department at LSE, and Francisco Veloso, dean at INSEAD, moderated by Graham Miller, about education’s role in the turbulent global landscape.

The past years have marked a substantially turbulent time for education, relating to challenges of sustainability, the emergence of AI, and an instable political climate. Historically, Universities have the delicate role of creating safe and respectful spaces that foster debate, experimentation, freedom of speech and access to facts while existing within a political framework.

Within this talk, speakers agree that it is crucial to create and uphold a space where students feel safe to express themselves and learn in whichever way adapts best to them which is still immensely complex to accomplish. There is still a lot of work to be done.

Closing Remarks

As this enriching morning comes to an end, the audience is reminded of the pivotal insights shared across the various domains, from health and longevity to peace and climate action. These discussions have underscored not only the complexity of today’s challenges, but also the collective strengths required to address and combat them.

NAC thanks all the speakers for all the invaluable contributions as we look forward to building upon this momentum in the days to come.

Marta Nascimento

Madalena Martinho do Rosário

Understanding Mental Health: A Comprehensive Guide

October 29, 2024by Awareness NewsLeave a comment

Reading time: 7 minutes

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, encompassing our emotional, psychological, and social functioning. It influences how we think, feel, and behave, and affects our ability to handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. In this article, we’ll explore key concepts related to mental health, its significance, and ways to promote it.

The Importance of Mental Health

Mental health is not merely the absence of mental illness. It involves a state of well-being where individuals can realize their potential, cope with the stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), good mental health enhances the quality of life, improves productivity, and promotes better physical health.

Common Mental Health Conditions

Anxiety Disorders: These include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Symptoms may include excessive worry, restlessness, and physical symptoms like increased heart rate.

Depression: Characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and feelings of hopelessness. It can impact one’s ability to function daily.

Bipolar Disorder: This condition involves extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression).

Schizophrenia: A severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can lead to hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This condition may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, leading to flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help. Many individuals fear judgment or discrimination, which can prevent them from accessing support. It’s essential to foster an environment where mental health can be openly discussed and treated with the same seriousness as physical health.

Men’s Mental Health

The stigma surrounding men’s mental health is not just a cultural issue; it’s a silent killer. From childhood, boys are often taught to “man up,” to bury their feelings deep inside where no one can see them. Emotions are viewed as a threat to their masculinity, and crying or admitting vulnerability is seen as a failure. This toxic mindset grows with them into adulthood, creating a cycle where men feel that expressing pain or seeking help is somehow a betrayal of their identity. But what we don’t talk about enough is the heavy cost of this silence. Behind every forced smile, there are men living with unbearable pain, convinced they have to carry it alone.

The consequences are brutal. Suicide rates among men are shockingly high, yet society remains disturbingly quiet about the invisible pressures that drive them to such desperate ends. These men aren’t weak—many of them are silently battling demons while appearing “strong” on the outside. They continue to function, perform, and meet expectations while their mental health deteriorates, believing that breaking the silence would bring shame or judgment. We’ve created a world where men feel more comfortable contemplating their own death than speaking openly about their emotional suffering.

By not addressing this, we aren’t just ignoring a problem—we’re allowing it to thrive. The societal notion that “real men don’t cry” or seek help is killing them, driving them into deeper isolation. We need to shatter this narrative and send a shockwave through our collective consciousness: men, just like everyone else, need space to express pain, fear, and doubt without fear of ridicule or rejection. If we don’t act now, the silence around men’s mental health will continue to take lives, and those lives could be our fathers, brothers, sons, and friends.

Mental Health Dichotomy in Organizations

The mental health dichotomy in organizations is a stark and often overlooked reality. On the surface, many workplaces champion wellness initiatives, host mental health awareness days, and post motivational slogans about the importance of “self-care.” Yet, beneath this facade, a far more troubling truth lingers. Many organizations still operate in ways that directly contradict these efforts, perpetuating environments where high pressure, unmanageable workloads, and a culture of relentless productivity leave employees too burned out to take advantage of the very mental health support being offered. This dichotomy isn’t just hypocritical—it’s dangerous.

In many corporate settings, the unspoken rule remains clear: your value is measured by your output, not your well-being. Employees are expected to push through exhaustion, stress, and even mental health crises in the name of deadlines and performance. If someone dares to show vulnerability or admit they’re struggling, the response is often a quiet judgment, a subtle shift in how they’re perceived by peers and leadership. In some cases, it might even be career suicide. The organization’s message of “mental health matters” becomes hollow when, in reality, employees are often punished for needing time to recover or for setting boundaries to protect their well-being.

The starkest irony is that these toxic work environments, driven by profit and performance metrics, are the very breeding grounds for the mental health issues they claim to combat. Stress disorders, anxiety, and burnout are skyrocketing, and yet organizations continue to wear their wellness programs like badges of honor without addressing the root cause: the toxic culture itself. Until companies stop viewing mental health as a checkbox on an HR form and start addressing the fundamental ways they dehumanize their workforce, this divide will only grow wider. The real shock comes when we realize that this isn’t just a failing of corporate responsibility—it’s a systemic betrayal of the people who keep these organizations running. If mental health truly mattered in these environments, we wouldn’t just be talking about it, we would be radically changing the way we work.

Promoting Mental Health

Promoting mental health is a collective responsibility. Here are several strategies that individuals and communities can adopt:

1. Education and Awareness

Understanding mental health is the first step toward destigmatization. Schools, workplaces, and communities can offer workshops and training sessions to raise awareness about mental health issues.

2. Encourage Open Dialogue

Creating safe spaces for open conversations about mental health can help individuals feel less isolated. Encourage discussions among friends, family, and colleagues.

3. Promote Self-Care Practices

Self-care is crucial for maintaining mental health. Here are some effective practices:

Physical Activity: Regular exercise can significantly improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Mindfulness and Meditation: These practices can help in managing stress and enhancing emotional regulation.

Healthy Eating: Nutrition plays a key role in mental well-being. A balanced diet can positively affect mood and energy levels.

Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep is vital for cognitive functioning and emotional health.

4. Seek Professional Help

Encouraging individuals to seek help from mental health professionals when needed is essential. Therapy, counseling, and medication can provide support for those struggling with mental health issues.

Resources in Portugal

In Portugal, several resources are available for mental health support:

Mental Health Helpline (Samu): Offers confidential support and guidance for individuals in crisis.

APAV (Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à Vítima): Provides assistance for victims of crime, including those dealing with trauma and mental health issues.

Public Health Services: The Portuguese health system provides various mental health services through the National Health Service (SNS).

Conclusion

Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being. By fostering an understanding of mental health issues, promoting open discussions, and encouraging self-care practices, we can create a supportive environment for those struggling with mental health challenges. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and everyone deserves access to the resources they need to thrive.

Sources: World Health Organization: WHO, APAV PT., Women’s Health., Well.