The Hidden Cost of Workplace Stress

TDT | Manama

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Work is no longer just a source of income it has become one of the biggest factors affecting mental health today.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, clinical psychologist Hasan Ebrahim said that the work environment plays a direct role in shaping mental health through organizational factors within institutions.

He explained that supportive workplaces can enhance job satisfaction, emotional stability, and a sense of belonging, while high-pressure environments often lead to stress, absenteeism, and increased staff turnover.

He told TDT that work-related stress becomes a mental health concern when it exceeds an individual’s ability to cope. This, he noted, may present as “emotional, physiological, or cognitive imbalance that affects daily behavior and body functions.” In some cases, employees may begin performing their duties mechanically, with reduced motivation and emotional engagement.

He added that prolonged stress can also lead to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, anxiety, and high blood pressure, reflecting the body’s response to chronic psychological strain.

Discussing burnout, Hasan Ebrahim explained that it is characterized by three main dimensions: “severe emotional and physical exhaustion, increased negative feelings toward work, and reduced personal accomplishment and effectiveness.” He emphasized that burnout is not simple fatigue, but a deeper psychological condition caused by an imbalance between job demands and an individual’s coping capacity.

To manage daily workplace stress, he recommended strengthening social support among colleagues, organizing tasks and priorities effectively, and maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life.

He also highlighted the role of clinical psychologists in workplace settings, noting that they provide therapeutic sessions, emotional support, and help individuals better understand their strengths and coping mechanisms. He said psychologists “assist employees in achieving psychological adjustment, stability, and improved decision-making.”

Hasan Ebrahim told TDT that workplace mental health is no longer optional, but a key factor in employee performance, productivity, and overall quality of life.