Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme is “It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace.” One way to do that for yourself is to set boundaries, which is integral to mental health and well-being, even in the workplace.

What are the benefits of establishing/maintaining healthy boundaries? As reported by Tracy Hutchinson, Ph.D., healthy boundaries can result in:

• the conservation of emotional energy
• more independence
• improved self-esteem
• better relationships with others

So, how does this translate to the workplace? For starters, knowing the scope and limitations of your own role on a team or project is imperative. This knowledge enables you to collaborate with other teammates and departments with confidence and without absorbing responsibilities that are not yours. Exercising boundaries in the workplace may also include saying “no” when your plate is already full and advocating for your own needs, wants, and desires.

The World Health Organization advocates that “Everyone has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health,” and where there is talk of “rights,” a discussion about boundaries is also pertinent. Everyone should feel empowered to establish and enforce boundaries to achieve a healthy work/life balance.

If you are struggling with setting boundaries, please contact the Aurora EAP by calling 800-236-3231 or visiting www.aurora.org/eap.