Mental health has been an important and recurrent issue lately and the subject of several forums. With the pandemic, it has gained strong visibility, mostly for the damages COVID-19 caused in several aspects. Break-ups, bankruptcies, suicides, unemployment, loss of friends and family members... Undoubtedly, we have not escaped unscathed.

Our exposure to the Internet and to social media are factors that also challenge us concerning our sanity. The FOMO (fear of missing out) caused by the unlimited amount of information, is an example of such damage.

Time offline – without producing, getting informed or following the events – is increasingly more inexistent. Contemplating and allowing oneself a few moments of idleness have become a source of anguish. On the other hand, those who got tired of this always-on mood are giving up their jobs and searching for sabbaticals to rethink life.

Finding the balance is challenging!

The use of anxiolytics and antidepressants has increased a lot, as well as the cases of panic disorder, burnout and other mental health ailments.

So far, no new news.

The surprise came when I read about a possible "traffic" of legal drugs that has started emerging on social media. Professionals seek medications that control anxiety and increase concentration to improve their performance and handle the high goals and demands for results. As a result, medicines are in short supply for those who truly need them. This is a sort of doping to improve performance; something already known for long in sports, yet mind-boggling when we start seeing it in the corporate sphere.

In addition to the risk of adverse effects to the health of those who take a medicine without needing it, it might create asymmetries in performance and certain lack of “corporate fair play”, changing the parameters of meritocracy.

What phenomenon are we experiencing?

Will this be the start of the “corporate doping” age?

_____________________

Daniela Bauab is a Senior Associate & COO at BMI Blue Management Institute. Bauab has 21 years’ experience in Human Resources in the Financial Market. A Master’s candidate in People Management from FGV with an MBA in Leadership and People Management, specialized in Psychodrama with a degree in Psychology. A coach (executive, life & career) graduated from ICI. Bauab is a volunteer mentor and co-author of books Mulheres do RH Vol. II (Women in HR Vol. II) and Mentores e suas Histórias Inspiradoras (Mentors and Their Inspiring Stories).

‍