Oana Popa, Health & Wellbeing Lead, Regina Maria: The constant dialogue on mental health and psychological safety is fundamental for the health of an entire organization

”The constant dialogue on mental health and psychological safety is fundamental for the health of an entire organization. Stress and burnout are two different issues and their impact on the organization is obvious, being directly correlated with the impact on employee performance. Specific reports have revealed that stress remains at 45-55 percent among employees and the main stress factor is the manager. On the other hand, the level of stress among management and top management is even higher than among employees,” said Oana Popa, Health & Wellbeing Lead, Regina Maria, within the panel talks of the recently held event People Empowering Business Forum organized by The Diplomat-Bucharest.

The full statements of Forum Panelists can be found at: People Empowering Business Forum & Awards 2024 – powered by The Diplomat Bucharest

We cannot talk about individual and organizational development when we talk about stress and burnout, let alone survival. In the context of changes on all levels, we need to be part of the change, not just witness it. We need to find solutions and methods to overcome the natural resistance to change and it is extremely important that companies create this space of psychological safety for the members of the organization. This safe space means a company that cares about employees on an authentic level, beyond a portfolio of benefits. Regarding the way mental health programs are accessed, the youngest employees are used to asking for help.

Compared to accessing psychological services within the Regina Maria network, half of the number of accesses is made by people between 25 and 35 years old. This generation ends up bringing their parents and grandparents to therapy, something extremely beneficial – namely addressing significant problems that we have as a Romanian society. What is worrying is psycho-somatization, that is, the physical manifestation of psychological challenges, and that is why we see vascular and cardiac incidents at younger and younger ages.

So yes, it is an excellent thing that the younger generations practice and are open to asking when they feel the need. Regarding hybrid work, regardless of its nuances, it is important to realize that this model transfers a large part of the responsibility from the employer to the employee. In this system, you have to learn to manage your own time and what are the hygiene factors to keep yourself physically and mentally healthy.

_______________________________
About the event:
Now in its 10th edition, People Empowering Business Forum & Awards Gala 2024 celebrated the leaders and their teams who have made exceptional contributions to empowering the work environment and made a significant mark to broader business community. For 2024’s anniversary edition, both the Forum and Awards Gala have shined a light to the best-in-class professionals from cross-sectors in the Romanian economy.

This year’s special FORUM & AWARDS GALA took place e on 26th of November at InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, Le Diplomate Hall.

The event benefited from the support of:
PLATINUM PARTNERS: NXP Semiconductors, Wipro, RetuRO SGR
GOLD PARTNERS: Adrem, Teleperformance, ACCA, Schneider Electric, Distributie Energie Electrica Romania, Vastint Romania,
Sphera Group, tbi bank, Michelin Romania, Cognizant Romania, Philip Morris, Kinstellar
PARTNERS: Magna Exteriors Craiova, Continental Romania, ICI Bucharest, Tinmar Energy, Stefanini Romania, Distributie Oltenia
SUPPORTING PARTNERS: Concordia, BRCC, Cluj IT Cluster, ANIS, Lovering & Partners Business Consultants
MEDIA PARTNERS: Outsourcing Today, Sustainability Today, Automotive Today, Financial Intelligence, Romania Durabila, Economistul, Club Economic, Bursa