The World Health Organisation (Who) along with International Labour Organisation (ILO) have called for the action of mental health concerns in workplaces. According to ILO News an estimation of 12 billion workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety costing the global economy nearly US$ one trillion.
Two new publications which aim to address this issue were published on the 28th of September 2022, on WHO guidelines on mental health at work and a derivative WHO/ILO policy brief. The WHO’s global guidelines on mental health at work suggests the actions to tackle risks to mental health such as heavy workloads, negative behaviours and other factors that create distress at work. For the first time WHO recommends manager training, to build their capacity to prevent stressful work environments and respond to workers in distress.
According to the WHO’s mental health’s report which was published on in June 2022, showed that of one billion people living with a mental disorder in 2019, 15 percent of working-age adults experienced a mental disorder. Work amplifies wider societal issues that negatively affect mental health, including discrimination and inequality. Bullying and psychological violence (also known as ‘mobbing’) are key complaints of workplace harassment that have a negative impact on mental health. Yet discussing or disclosing mental health remains a taboo in work settings globally.
The guidelines also touched on ways to accommodate the needs of workers with mental health conditions, propose interventions that support their return to work and, for those with severe mental health conditions, provide interventions that facilitate entry into paid employment. Importantly, the guidelines call for interventions aimed at the protection of health, humanitarian and emergency worker.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said that,“It’s time to focus on the detrimental effect work can have on our mental health,” said Dr Tedros. He also added that “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. These new guidelines can help prevent negative work situations and cultures and offer much-needed mental health protection and support for working people,” stated Dr Tedros.
The guideline further explains in terms of practical strategies for governments, employers and workers and their organisations, in the public and private sectors. The aim 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 in the world of work. Investment and leadership will be critical to the implementation of the strategies.
“As people spend a large proportion of their lives in work – a safe and healthy working environment is critical. 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,” said Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General.
