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Knowing when it’s time to search for a new job due to mental health concerns is a significant decision that many individuals face. We often let our mental health deteriorate so much so, that when it’s time to make a change, it’s extremely late. We get it, life can get the better of us, and our priority is not ourselves, or our mental health, but ensuring we’re providing for our family, kids and even just wanting to uphold a certain lifestyle is very important. But when we think about it, we can’t really do any of that if we’re not taking care of ourselves. Sometimes, staying a job, even if it’s for the right reasons can have adverse effects on our mental health. If this is you, then it’s best you continue reading! Here are signs that may be time to consider a new job for your mental well-being.

Signs Your Mental Health Is Affected

Does the thought of waking up every morning, dreading the idea of walking through the doors at work something you think about? If it is; it’s time to start looking for a new job. Sure, you may think this is rather common, and to a degree, it is! If we all had a choice, working wouldn’t be one of them, however, not to such an extent. These feelings are often triggered by more dramatic negative influences in the workplace such as depression, stress, burnout, and even anxiety. Check out how to prioritize your mental health with ConnektUs.

Let’s use the office environment as an example. Let’s say you work in a team of 5, and you’re the go-to person for other stakeholders and leadership because you’re a trusted and valued team member. Compliment? Sure! You’re a hard worker, but the additional workload and stresses are certainly not a compliment. The overwhelming expectations can have a negative impact on your well-being causing an increased amount of stress and anxiety on top of meeting other deadlines. But it also begs many questions; If you’re the go-to person, what about the other 4 members of your team? Are they doing equally the same amount of work? Do you get paid more to do more? Let’s be real here.

Let me give you a real-life scenario. I used to work for an Australian renowned business. It was an amazing place to work, that was, until I started to question leadership and their decisions. There was one decision in particular that sealed the deal for me. They promoted a low performer. From the moment I raised concerns, I noticed a change in attitude from other leaders towards me. I lost opportunities to develop and was often excluded from projects. My mental health deteriorated quite rapidly and saw me from a high performer to an average performer. The same sad, scenario is probably more common than we think.

Declining performance despite increased effort

Similar to the example provided above. If you find that your job performance is suffering and on the decline, despite working harder than ever before, this could be another red flag that it’s time for a change. This can often be triggered by a lack of appreciation, reward, and recognition from your employer. Even small praises go such a long way.

To determine whether quitting your job is necessary for preserving your well-being, take some time to reflect on these warning signs while also considering other factors such as financial stability and potential opportunities elsewhere.

Your feedback goes on deaf ears

Your mental health needs to be taken seriously, both on your part, but it is also the responsibility of your employer. While some signs may be visible, it’s important to speak with leadership and/or human resources about your decline in mental health and how it’s impacting you and your performance.

If you find that after several attempts to try to address the concern, there has been no effort from your employer to be compassionate and understand the root cause of the issue to implement and make positive change, this also, could be a sign that perhaps their care for your well-being is not a priority, and time to say good-bye.

Quitting can be your best choice

Quitting your job can be the best decision, but there are a few things you need to assess before making that decision. As mentioned previously, make sure you assess your financial situation. If you require a new job, then start job searching and secure that job as quickly as possible, even if the new role is just for the short term. If you believe your mental health is at an all-time low, and dread every day, then perhaps a big decision is necessary for your own wellbeing.

Conclussion

Get out of a toxic environment as quickly as possible. It’s not good for you, your mental health, or your career. On a personal note, you also don’t want to dedicate your life to a cause that doesn’t appreciate your or your well-being. Sometimes we neglect to take care of ourselves. It is easy to get burnt out, or not take anxiety seriously, but it’s time we all change our behavior and understand what we truly deserve to be happy work. Take the necessary steps to make positive changes in your life.