Written for EO by Angela White, an ed-tech consultant and contributor. 

Despite options like remote work and virtual offices, adults will spend at least one-third of their lives working. And our workplace environment, culture and habits have a significant impact on our health—particularly our mental health—which, in turn, has a great effect on our productivity.

In fact, a study led by World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. The organization further states that “Employers and managers who put in place workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees who have mental disorders see gains not only in the health of their employees but also in their productivity at work.”