Time to address workplace mental health issues
The workplace amplifies wider societal issues that negatively affect mental health, including discrimination and inequality.
Daily TribuneThe workplace amplifies wider societal issues that negatively affect mental health, including discrimination and inequality.
WHO guidelines contain actions to tackle risks to mental health at work, such as heavy workloads, negative behaviors and other factors that can create distress. | Photograph courtesy of UN
With an estimated 12 billion workdays lost annually due to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy nearly $1 trillion, more action is needed to tackle mental health issues at work, the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization said.
The UN agencies recently launched two publications, which aim to prevent negative work situations and cultures, while also offering mental health protection and support for employees.
Performance, productivity affected
"It's time to focus on the detrimental effect work can have on our mental health," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO, which has issued global guidelines on the issue.
"The well-being of the individual is reason enough to act, but poor mental health can also have a debilitating impact on a person's performance and productivity."
The WHO guidelines contain actions to tackle risks to mental health at work, such as heavy workloads, negative behaviors and other factors that can create distress.
For the first time, the UN health agency recommends manager training to build their capacity to prevent stressful work environments and respond to workers' needs.
Workplace taboo
WHO's World Mental Health Report, published in June, revealed that of one billion people estimated to be living with a mental disorder in 2019, 15 percent of working-age adults experienced a mental disorder.
The workplace amplifies wider societal issues that negatively affect mental health, including discrimination and inequality, the agency said.
Bullying and psychological violence, also known as "mobbing," is a key complaint of workplace harassment that has a negative impact on mental health. However, discussing or disclosing mental health remains a taboo in work settings globally.
The guidelines also recommend better ways to accommodate the needs of workers with mental health conditions and propose interventions that support their return to work.
Increasing opportunities
They also outline measures to ease entry into the jobs market for those workers with severe mental health conditions.
Importantly, the guidelines call for interventions for the protection of health, humanitarian and emergency workers.
A separate policy brief with ILO explains the WHO guidelines in terms of practical strategies for governments, employers and workers, and their organizations in both the public and private sectors.
The objective is to support the prevention of mental health risks, protect and promote mental health at work, and support those with mental health conditions, so they can participate and thrive at work.
"As people spend a large proportion of their lives in work — a safe and healthy working environment is critical," Guy Ryder, the ILO Director-General, said.
"We need to invest to build a culture of prevention around mental health at work, reshape the work environment to stop stigma and social exclusion, and ensure employees with mental health conditions feel protected and supported."
ILO's convention on occupational safety and health and a related recommendation provide legal frameworks to safeguard workers.
