In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined mental health as "a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community". It is estimated that by 2030, depression will be the leading cause of disability. That’s why at INEEW, we are committed to its prevention.
Mental health in the workplace is an increasingly important issue in today’s world.
As job demands rise and work environments become more competitive, it's essential to understand how factors such as anxiety, fear, and stress affect employees and how to manage them effectively. This is why mental health and workplace well-being have become key elements in both human and organizational development.
A holistic approach to workplace well-being
Workplace well-being is not just about achieving goals or avoiding problems—it's about designing workspaces that promote personal growth and emotional fulfillment.
At INEEW, well-being is a commitment that goes beyond productivity; it reflects organizational culture and respect for people.
One of the most pressing challenges in this field is burnout. The WHO (2022) defines it as a condition characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced professional efficacy, and stress, leading to a sense of passivity, neglect, and inefficacy. Recognized as an occupational health issue, burnout not only affects individuals but also disrupts group dynamics within organizations, reducing productivity by 20% and increasing absenteeism by 30%.
Through flexible work policies, mindfulness practices, and self-care programs, INEEW demonstrates how it's possible to effectively prevent and address this phenomenon.
Studies in the United States and the UK have shown that from an economic perspective, investing in emotional education can yield a significant return on investment (ROI). Specifically, for every dollar invested in emotional education programs, up to eleven dollars in benefits can be gained. These results highlight the importance of integrating emotional education into both educational systems and corporate policies to foster a healthier and more productive environment.
Anxiety and fear: understanding the difference
In the workplace, it's common for people to confuse the terms "anxiety" and "fear." Although both are natural responses to perceived threats, they have key differences that are important to recognize and understand in order to manage them properly.
To better understand these concepts in the work context, let’s define them:
- Fear is an immediate and adaptive reaction to a real or imminent danger. It may arise in specific situations, such as the threat of losing a job or facing a difficult task. Fear serves a protective function, helping individuals respond quickly to concrete threats.
- Anxiety is an anticipatory response that is often disproportionate to perceived, real, or imagined threats. Workplace anxiety can manifest as constant worry about performance, fear of failure, or anticipation of future problems. Unlike fear, anxiety tends to be more prolonged and can impair employees' ability to focus and perform their tasks effectively.
Both emotions, if not managed properly, can significantly affect workers’ performance and quality of life. INEEW stands out as a model of best practices, promoting safe workplaces and emotional support programs that help reduce anxiety, while strengthening trust and collective well-being.
Stress Management: Key to Sustainable Success
Work-related stress is one of the most common causes of emotional imbalance in the professional world. It is the body’s natural response to the demands and pressures of the work environment. Stress can stem from various sources, such as excessive workload, lack of control over tasks, interpersonal conflicts, or job insecurity. While small doses of stress can be motivating—driving action and productivity—chronic stress can have serious negative effects on employees' physical and mental health, such as exhaustion, anxiety, concentration problems, or decreased performance. That’s why it’s crucial for organizations to implement effective strategies to manage stress, foster a healthy work environment, and support the overall well-being of their teams.
To manage stress effectively, INEEW proposes an integrated approach that includes:
Identifying stressors and how they impact individual well-being. Creating spaces for open dialogue within companies is key to achieving this.
Incorporating short rest moments and basic activities throughout the workday can reduce mental overload and improve focus.
Encouraging a collaborative and trusting environment among work teams helps build an essential support network to cope with stress.
Allowing employees to adjust their schedules and tasks based on their personal needs can make a significant difference in their emotional well-being.
INEEW integrates these strategies into its organizational philosophy, showing how balancing work and personal demands can generate a positive impact on individuals, and consequently, on business results.
INEEW: A Commitment to Workplace Well-Being
INEEW, a company committed to sustainability and well-being, leads the transformation of workplaces into spaces that support both productivity and emotional balance. Its mission is to equip individuals and organizations with practical skills to understand, regulate, and express emotions effectively. Through evidence-based programs, INEEW promotes personal growth, improves relationships, and contributes to the emotional resilience of communities.
How does INEEW do it?
Offering programs that help employees develop emotional competencies, essential for managing stress and improving productivity at work.
By using educational technology (EdTech) to create creative and experiential learning experiences that connect emotional education with science and innovation.
By promoting values such as empathy, resilience, innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration, crucial to a healthy work environment.
By assessing the effectiveness of our programs to ensure we are truly improving organizational well-being.
By adapting to the unique needs of people and organizations. At INEEW, we believe it's essential to listen—to both individuals and institutions.
INEEW’s vision is not only to improve workplace dynamics but also to contribute to a cultural shift that values mental health as a core component of sustainable development.
Key initiatives
Initiatives such as “FEEM in Numbers” and “Urban Innovation and Emotional Well-being” reflect this commitment to collective well-being.
FEEM in Numbers focuses on a comprehensive evaluation of student satisfaction in emotional education and well-being training programs (FEEM). The goal is to optimize student well-being by integrating theoretical knowledge into everyday life in a practical way. The evaluation covers areas such as satisfaction with experts, usefulness of content, quality of provided resources, effectiveness of methodologies used, and support from the coordination team. This project equips participants with tools and skills to manage stress and improve resilience. By integrating these skills into daily life, participants can apply them in the workplace, promoting a healthier and more productive work environment.
Urban Innovation and Emotional Well-being addresses the transformation of cities through urban innovation and emotional well-being. In collaboration with the European Union’s Eureka urban innovation program, it has outlined the essential qualities, tasks, and responsibilities of urban innovators. The project emphasizes international and multidisciplinary collaboration to address urban challenges and enhance community quality of life.
An improved and healthier urban environment reduces stress and increases employee satisfaction, creating a more supportive work atmosphere. International and multidisciplinary collaboration also fosters adaptability and resilience—essential skills for maintaining mental health in the workplace.
Together, these projects highlight the importance of a holistic approach that recognizes mental health as a key component of sustainable development, both in education and in the workplace.
Final Reflection
The future of work does not rely solely on the implementation of technologies or efficient processes, but on how organizations care for their most valuable resource: people.
Mental health and workplace well-being are fundamental pillars in building a healthy and productive work environment. INEEW shows us that it is possible to create workplaces that not only foster productivity but also value and nurture the emotional and mental well-being of employees.
Through initiatives such as emotional education, the use of innovative technology, and the promotion of core values like empathy and resilience, INEEW is leading a cultural shift that acknowledges the importance of mental health in sustainable development.
Finally, it's worth emphasizing that the success of an organization is often measured solely in economic terms, but perhaps true success lies in creating well-being.
By prioritizing mental health and workplace well-being, companies not only enhance employee satisfaction and productivity but also achieve significant economic benefits (ROI) and contribute to a more sustainable and humane future.
INEEW invites us to rethink the meaning of workplace well-being and to build environments where mental health, emotional well-being, and professional success coexist in harmony.
References:
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World Health Organization. (n.d.). Salud mental. Retrieved March 18, 2025, from https://www.who.int/es/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_1
Mental health and workplace well-being: The pillar of a sustainable future