There are days when work feels heavier... much heavier than it should.

It's not just the task itself, the deadline, or the pile-up of meetings on the calendar: it's a constant tension, a tightness in my chest, preventing me from switching off even when I'm at the dinner table with my family.

For a long time, I thought this was normal... That always being a bit strained, a bit on alert, a bit tired was acceptable...

And, without realizing it, I started normalizing signs that weren't so small after all: difficulty resting, saying 'no', stopping without guilt, recognizing my limits.

The most curious thing is that there's rarely a clear moment when something changes.

It's a shaky, grey landscape. It's a slow, almost silent wear and tear that sets in while we continue to function.

Is this why it's so hard to talk about mental health at work...? Perhaps... because often problems don't appear as a crisis, but as a normalized routine.
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- By someone who is still learning to ask the right questions 🍃​

What makes the previous experience difficult to name is precisely its discreet nature: it's not about a single, 'flashy' event or an obvious breakdown; but a gradual process, where the body and mind accumulate small overloads that, individually and at first glance, seem bearable.

And that's why so many people take time to recognize what they're experiencing: because the wear and tear doesn't arrive with an alarm, but with normality... And it's in that normality that it becomes harder to question, name, and understand what's happening.

Indeed, this silent space opens the door for the emergence of psychosocial risks: factors related to work organization, relationships, and emotional demands, with a real impact on well-being, motivation, productivity, and mental health.

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The Burnout Behind Productivity

There's an increasingly common experience in the contemporary professional context: the persistent feeling of always falling short, even when the effort is constant and results are achieved.

Although this experience may be associated with Imposter Syndrome, it is not limited to an individual characteristic. Often, it also reflects how work is organized, the emotional demands present in the professional environment, and the continuous pressure to produce, respond, and be “always” available.

In contexts characterized by fast-paced environments, overload, insecurity, constant evaluation, or little emotional appreciation, it becomes harder to recognize personal limits and needs. In this challenging scenario, rest becomes fraught with guilt, mistakes are haunted by the enormous ghost of fear, and vulnerability is cloaked in fragility, accompanied by much shame…

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The silent impact on mental health

The effects are not always immediate or visible. Most often, they manifest gradually: constant fatigue, persistent anxiety, difficulty resting, irritability, demotivation, a feeling of emptiness, or emotional detachment from one's work and personal relationships.

‍International studies show that psychosocial factors associated with work are directly related to increased chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, burnout, concentration difficulties, sleep disorders, and psychological distress. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, stress, anxiety, and depression currently represent the second most frequent work-related health problem among European workers, and about 45% of people report being exposed to risk factors that negatively affect their mental health. The latest data from the European OSH Pulse survey also reveal that 27% of European workers report experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression caused or aggravated by work.

‍In Portugal, although the discussion about mental health at work often remains shrouded in silence or stigma, the signs are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. According to the Portuguese Psychologists' Association, almost 2 in 5 Portuguese workers (33%) reported having experienced stress, anxiety, or depression related to work in the last year, a figure above the European Union average (27%). In addition to the human impact, it is estimated that absenteeism and presenteeism associated with stress and mental health issues could cost Portuguese companies up to 5.3 billion euros per year, reflecting a reality where many people continue to work even while silently suffering.

These figures tangibly illustrate the current state of this reality. The truth is, many people continue to function seemingly “well” while burnout accumulates internally. It is precisely in this space, between what one can continue to do and what one silently begins to lose, that psychosocial risks gain relevance. It is precisely for this reason that prevention should always be the focus.

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The role of leadership and organizational culture

In reality, workplace mental health is profoundly influenced by how professional environments are structured, by team relationships, and by the culture built within organizations. Psychosocial risk prevention finds its space to thrive precisely in this context.

Emotionally aware leaders tend to create safer work environments, where there is room for honest communication, recognition of boundaries, and more humane relationships. Environments where people feel they can express difficulties without fear of judgment or penalty tend to reduce feelings of isolation, overload, and constant hypervigilance.

Often, it's the small changes that have the biggest impact on daily professional life: validating emotions without downplaying experiences; encouraging breaks and rest; respecting boundaries between personal life and work; avoiding cultures of hyper-availability; promoting open conversations about mental health and creating spaces where vulnerability is not interpreted as weakness.

It's also important to recognize that leaders themselves are not exempt from these dynamics: they too are exposed to pressure, demands, and overload, making it equally important for them to acknowledge their difficulties and seek support when needed. Talking about mental health at work doesn't increase weaknesses: it increases awareness, prevention, and the capacity for collective care. And, more than ever, we need to talk about this, asking the right questions!

Sources:

https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes/psychosocial-risks-and-mental-health

https://www.ordemdospsicologos.pt/ficheiros/documentos/opp_relatorio_prosperidadeesustentabilidadedasorganizacoes2023.pdf