By Muhammad Amaan
As the global community marks the World Mental Health Day 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged employers, governments at all levels, and individuals to make mental health in the workplace a top priority.
This plea is contained in a statement issued by Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, who emphasised the impact that work can have on people’s lives, said this could be either positive or negative.
While buttressing her point, the WHO boss noted: “A healthy work environment not only provides structure and purpose, but also fosters social connections, giving individuals a sense of personal value and identity.”
She warned that poor working conditions, discrimination, harassment, and lack of job security can all contribute to significant mental health challenges.
This year’s theme, “Healthy Minds at Work, Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace,” according to the statement was designed to highlight the critical role that a healthy work environment plays in fostering well-being, productivity, and social connections.
According to her, statistics show that poor mental health in the workplace is a growing concern. Depression and anxiety are responsible for the loss of productive work hours, yearly costing the global economy around $1 trillion.
Moeti called for urgent action to protect, promote, and support mental health in the workplace and called on governments, employers, and individuals to create supportive environments that prioritise mental well-being.
She continued, “Governments are encouraged to review employment and health policies to ensure they address mental health as robustly as physical health. Aligning laws with international human rights standards and creating pathways between health and employment services can help reduce discrimination and support workers with mental health conditions.
“As we celebrate World Mental Health Day, let’s commit to investing in mental health in the workplace because investing in people is the best investment any organisation can make,” Dr. Moeti concluded.
