When you think of the tech industry as a whole, you probably think of it as a fun and exciting place to work. It’s an industry with cutting edge technology, endless opportunities for innovation, and fast-paced environments that keep things interesting.
This is true for many tech companies. But there is also another side to the story. The med tech industry has some unique stressors not found in many other industries such as: long hours, heavy workloads, frequent reorganization, constant change, team collaboration (often over long distances), high visibility and intense competition.
These stressors have led to an alarming rate of mental health issues in the industry — from depression and anxiety to substance abuse and suicidal ideation.
Let’s take a look at why mental health matters more than you think in the tech industry…
Depression in Tech
There are likely very few people who have never experienced the feeling of depression. It’s one of the most common mental health issues in the world. But what’s less commonly known is that depression has a very high prevalence in the tech industry.
The exact percentage is unknown. But there are several indicators that support the claim that depression is a higher issue in tech than in other industries. For example, one study found that about 20% of engineers and scientists suffer from depression, a percentage that is significantly higher than the rate of depression in the general population.
These numbers are especially alarming because depression is a mental illness that has very serious consequences. If left untreated, depression can lead to suicidal ideation, substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors that can seriously affect an individual’s well-being and career.
Anxiety in the Tech Industry
Another very common mental health issue in the tech industry is anxiety. However, many people don’t even realize they are experiencing anxiety until they get a proper diagnosis. This is because anxiety disorders often present themselves as physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches.
One study found that one in five tech employees experiences anxiety at work. And another found that about half of all employees in the tech industry have some anxiety about their careers.
These numbers are concerning because anxiety is another mental illness that has serious consequences if left untreated. Anxiety disorders can cause severe impairment in daily functioning, disrupt relationships and result in a high number of missed work days.
Substance Abuse in the Tech Industry
Another sign of a mental health issue in the tech industry is substance abuse.
This is especially concerning because it can often go hand in hand with anxiety and depression. However, it’s important to note that a majority of substance abuse cases in the tech industry are not due to the employees’ use of illegal drugs.
In fact, alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the tech industry. And while alcohol is not illegal, it can still be dangerous in the tech industry because it can affect an employee’s ability to perform well at work.
The risk of substance abuse is so high in the tech industry that numerous tech companies have started offering addiction treatment as part of their health benefits. It’s clear that there is a serious problem in the tech industry that needs to be addressed.
Suicide in the Tech Industry
Finally, there is perhaps no more serious sign of a mental health issue in the tech industry than suicide. Unfortunately, the tech industry has the highest rate of suicide of any industry in the world. This is a serious problem that likely stems from a number of factors, including high stress, feelings of isolation and a lack of resources available for employees experiencing mental health issues.
Bottom line
The tech industry has some unique stressors not found in many other industries. These stressors have led to an alarming rate of mental health issues in the industry, from depression and anxiety to substance abuse and suicidial ideation
.
Depression is a mental illness that has very serious consequences if left untreated, while anxiety is another mental illness that has serious consequences if left untreated. Finally, buxic there is perhaps no more serious sign of a mental health issue in the tech industry than suicide.
