Statement for World Mental Health Day 2024

The Theme

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, 2024. Every year, for over thirty years, the international community has carried out a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of mental health in the lives of people around the world. This year, the celebration of our mental health is being done under the theme “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace”. The World Federation for Mental Health has chosen this theme as a call to action by employers, employees and social organizations.

Healthy Lifestyle

A call to focus our attention on Mental Health in the Workplace resonates with everyone. More than 60% of the world population is in employment and they spend more than 60% of their time in the workplace. The other forty percent of the population is in school or at home as they rely on those who attend to work for economic and emotional support. It is well accepted that healthy lifestyle practices are founded principally around work and family life, evidenced by experience that employed people spend the other 40% of their time with their families.

Overcoming Challenges

1. Unemployment
It is estimated that only 10-15% of persons with serious mental health problems are in employment. Their absence from the workplace is a reflection on the quality of lifestyle associated with this segment of the population. Significantly, it could also reflect the overall negative attitude of the population towards persons with mental health problems. Even the small number of persons with mental health problems who are employed may choose not to disclose their mental health issues to employers for fear of stigma and discrimination.

A systematic review done on the impact of unemployment among young people revealed a troubling connection between unemployment and mental health. High unemployment rates are associated with long term physical, mental and social difficulties. There is an increase in the incidents of cardiovascular diseases and mortality from alcohol related problems. These communities experience increased criminal behavior and negative lifestyle choices among young people. Furthermore, there is increased incidents of depression and anxiety, increased rates of suicide and alcohol and substance use problems.

2. Social Welfare Support
In practical terms, employment support is probably the most important social and mental health intervention that a society may provide for its citizens. Presently, it is not an integral part of the mental health services on offer. In developed countries of the world more than 20% of health budgets cater for mental health services when compared to less than 4% in the developing world. It is most likely that the social support benefits provided to the citizens of the developed world are integrated into their welfare systems and not used as political tools to control and dehumanize the vulnerable as is seen in many developing countries of the world.

3. Benefits of Workplaces
Employment is a positive and rewarding experience for any person. It allows an individual to utilize their physical, mental and social skills for their own development. Increased rates of employment will make people less reliant on state benefits and enhance their sense of self-worth and raise their self-esteem. A working person is essentially a productive member of any society. Each worker contributes to the economy, nurture social cohesion and improve the quality of life for community members.

4. Stressful Workplaces
Some patterns of work can be very detrimental to the health of persons employed. Conditions of work are not favorable when work is organized around stressors that negatively affect the body and minds of people. Unfavorable working conditions could include long working hours, night shifts, weekend work, working around harmful substances and the consequences of are manifested by increased reports of absenteeism and presenteeism, burnout, low productivity.

It is true that some societies have a greater tolerance for the operations of negative workplaces. However, the right to work is an internationally recognized right. Companies and institutions that abuse the rights of workers must be held accountable by the greater community.

5. Call to Action
✓ Work at home and flexible working hours are positive workplace strategies developed during the COVID 19 pandemic.
✓ When workers are engaged and thriving in their workplaces, it creates a high-performance environment for the employee and the employer. Therefore, employers must make their employee Wellbeing a priority.
✓ Every organization needs more resilient employees. Let us discuss the cost of poor employee Wellbeing on your business organization. We can help you partner with your employees to improve their Wellbeing.
✓ It is time to reimagine the Mental Health and Wellbeing of your employee. We can work with you to help Create a thriving organization.