Why Mental Health Matters for Your Career Journey

Time to Read: ~6mins 

Disclaimer: The articles and materials provided on the ProvidenceReady site are intended to be educational in nature.  No behavioral health or any other professional services are provided through the site and the information obtained through the site is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified health professional. If you are in need of behavioral health treatment, please contact a qualified health professional directly, and if you are in need of emergency help, please go to the emergency room or dial 911. 

Keywords: Resilience 

How do you define success? During your career journey, it’s common to prioritize productivity, career achievements, or educational credentials while pushing your emotional and mental well-being to the side. Whether you’re a student managing academic pressure, a job seeker facing uncertainty or an early career professional adjusting to workplace demands, stress can impact your decision-making, productivity and career growth.  

Prioritizing mental health isn’t just about feeling good, it’s essential for long-term career success. This blog explores the connection between mental well-being and professional growth, offering strategies to maintain balance, manage stress, and build resilience.  

Common Mental Health Challenges in Career Development 

If you’re experiencing work-related stress, you’re not alone. A recent Occupational Safety and Health Administration report found that 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress and 54% report that it affects their home lives (Workplace Stress - Overview | OSHA.Gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration). 

While experiencing stress is common, its impact varies by career stage:  

• Students and Interns: Facing rising academic pressure, imposter syndrome (self-doubt, feeling unworthy of success), and the challenges of balancing demanding coursework with work experience, and social or family obligations  

• Job Seekers: Uncertainty, financial stress and anxiety about applications, interviews and potentially facing rejection 

• Early Career Professionals: Adapting to a new workplace culture, struggling to connect with colleagues, long hours and mounting performance pressure 

• Late-Stage Career Professionals: Leadership stress, job stability concerns, decreased job satisfaction, maintaining work-life balance 

• Retirement Age Professionals: Transitioning out of the workforce, feeling a loss of purpose, adjusting to changes in daily routine, lifestyle and social connections 

  Work-related stress can develop into mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, lack of motivation or focus, and even increases in substance abuse. Over time, these feelings can also deteriorate your physical health, contributing to heart disease, high blood pressure, muscle tension, or poor sleep (Long-Term Stress Harms Everyone in the Workplace).  

These mental health challenges can impact your resilience at work, which is your ability to respond to and recover from work challenges quickly. However, you can address these challenges and build resilience with small daily practices and prevent any negative long-term effects. Even dedicating only ten minutes a day to prioritizing your mental health, and work-life balance can produce huge strides forward in both your personal life and career journey. Discover self-care and mental wellness strategies below.  

Strategies for Maintaining Mental Health at Work 

Mental health challenges can look different for everyone and vary by situation or day. Finding warning signs early is critical. Make sure to reach out to a doctor, mental healthcare provider, or trusted loved one for support with any difficult feelings impacting your life. It is normal to experience fear or shame related to mental health challenges and feel hesitant to open up to those closest to us. However, your loved ones, and support system want to help you succeed, and provide you with a fresh perspective and inspiration when you’re feeling overwhelmed. They have likely struggled at one point or another in their life and will understand how you are feeling. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope with stress, identify a trusted individual to connect with and share your thoughts.   

No matter your career stage, prioritizing self-care can build resilience and prevent burnout. Identify a few challenges related to specific areas you may overlook under stress. This can be linked to diet, negative self-talk, isolation, or even doom-scrolling. Develop a few goals and strategies to help alleviate these areas, especially during high-stress times. Here are a few ideas to get you started through different points in your career journey:  

For Students and Interns:  

• Establish a balance between studying, working and life by creating structured schedules 

• Connect with campus resources or internship support for guidance  

• Practice mindfulness techniques to manage academic stress 

For Job Seekers: 

• Set realistic job goals and milestones to avoid burnout 

• Develop an encouraging support network during your job hunt  

• Engage in skill building activities to boost confidence. Prioritize your special interests and passions alongside your field or specialty  

For Early Career Professionals  

• Set work-life boundaries to avoid excess stress, and prioritize your mental well-being 

• Seek mentorship opportunities for career growth and mental wellness  

• Incorporate daily self-care routines, such as a walk outside, creative hobbies, journaling 

• For Late-Stage Professionals  

• Develop stress management strategies for leadership roles  

• Delegate tasks to maintain a healthy workload, reach out to supervisors for support as needed  

• Invest in personal well-being, such as a fitness class, mental health programs or a new hobby or activity you’ve always been curious about 

For Retirement-Age Professionals 

• Explore new hobbies and volunteer opportunities within your community 

• Stay socially connected to maintain emotional well-being, reach out to friends, loved ones or work allies to share concerns and feel supported through your transition 

• Prioritize physical and mental wellness through mobility and strength training, relaxation, and self-care practices  

Building a Workplace Culture that Supports Mental Health  

Organizations play a key role in supporting employee or student well-being. Many companies, like Providence, offer resources such as confidential counseling, peer support programs, and stress management tools.  If your organization provides mental health benefits, take advantage of them. If not, consider organizing wellness initiatives with colleagues to promote a healthier work environment.  

The Path to a Sustainable Career  

Success isn’t just about climbing the career ladder but maintaining your mental health and well-being along the way. By seeking support when needed, and integrating self-care practices, you can navigate career challenges with resilience and confidence. Prioritizing your mental health and wellness today lays the foundation for a fulfilling lifelong career journey.  

Works Cited 

“How to Support Mental Health at Work Publication.” Mental Health Foundation, https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-support-mental-health-work. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025. 

“Long-Term Stress Harms Everyone in the Workplace.” OSHA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration, osha.gov/workplace-stress. 

Workplace Stress - Overview | OSHA.Gov | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/workplace-stress. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.