Prioritise Mental Health in the workplace – Mental Health Alliance

The Alliance for Mental Health and Development (Mental Health Alliance) has joined the world to mark the 2024 World Mental Health Day, to raise awareness and promote the value of mental well-being in society.The theme for this year is, 'It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.'It serves as a timely reminder of the vital role mental health play in the overall health of employees and organisations alike, especially, as 60 per cent of the global population is in employment and employees spend 60 per cent of their time in the workplace.Mr Peter Badimak Yaro, the National Convener of AMHD, in a communique, said the workplace was more than just a setting for productivity; but a vital environment, where individuals spent a significant portion of their lives.He noted that in today's demanding, and often stressful work patterns, mental health challenges were increasingly manifesting in several ways as anxiety and depression, burnout, increased absenteeism and presenteeism, and high turnover ra tes are common manifestations.He said, 'These issues not only affect individual well-being, but also impact productivity, and overall workplace morale. 'The financial implications for employers are staggering, with WHO estimates suggesting that mental health issues cost the global economy $1 trillion each year due to lost productivity.Yet, the stigma surrounding mental health continues to hinder open conversations and effective workplace support systems.Mr Francis Asong, Convener for the Volta Regional Chapter of Mental Health Alliance indicated to the Ghana News Agency, in an interview that the investment case Ghana Somubi Dwumadie, an NGO, supported the Mental Health Authority to development showed that, nearly seven per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) was lost due to psychological distress, compared with four per cent of GDP lost to malaria in Ghana.He said a survey conducted by PWC in March 2021 revealed that only 31 per cent of employees strongly agreed that their company had successfully addressed employee wellbeing including mental health and morale.On this year's World Mental Health Day, the Mental Health Alliance entreats employers, particularly the government, to take practical steps to prioritise mental health in the workplace.Some recommendations to foster workplace mental health include promoting frank conversations about mental health by creating a safe environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns without fear of being labelled.It is to Initiate support systems and create access to mental health resources such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and counselling services, and ensure that these resources are well communicated to employees and easily accessible.The communique' called for equipping team leaders and managers with the skills to recognise signs of mental distress and to support the mental health needs of their teams effectively with such training to emphasise empathetic communication and promoting inclusive, supportive envi ronments.It indicated promoting behaviours that encourage a healthy work-life balance, such as flexible work hours, remote work options, mandatory leave, recreational activities, and regular breaks.It suggested regular assessment of employee mental health needs and utilise the feedback to implement practical strategies for improvement.It said prioritising workplace mental health is not just a responsibility of human resource managers; it requires a firm commitment from every level of an organisation. As we advocate for improved mental health awareness, it is important to recognise that a supportive workplace culture benefits everyone - employees, employers, and the community at large.Source: Ghana News Agency