The Link between Organizational Culture and Mental Health of Employees in Higher Education Institutions during COVID-19

The main purpose of this paper is to show the relationship between mental health and its impact on the organizational culture of employees in higher education institutions in the Republic of North Macedonia. The focus of the research interest is placed specifically on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on these employees and the way they coped, that is, how they reacted when it comes to the organization, in which they work. This study uses the Vox Organizationis instrument to measure organizational culture and the 2-item Assessment of Mental Disorders in Primary Care to gain insights into the degree of depression of employees of higher education institutions in the Republic of North Macedonia, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as whether they have a suicidal tendency. The questionnaire was distributed to private and state higher education institutions in the Republic of North Macedonia and was answered by 97 respondents, whose answers were processed using the SPSS program. All individuals face various conditions every day that are caused by numerous factors. Humans possess several types of well-being. These are: emotional, psychological, and social, which make up mental health. This paper suggests that having strong mental health does not mean that you never go through bad times or have emotional problems. We all go through disappointments, losses, and changes. This is proven through the research itself, which changed the mental health of employees in Macedonian higher education institutions, and this had an impact on their organizational culture.