Individuals with severe mental health issues frequently face greater barriers to employment and, even when employed, often encounter workplace inequalities. The implications of unemployment extend further, presenting risks to mental well-being. Factors such as job loss, financial instability, and general insecurity can substantially raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and even attempts. These insights are echoed by the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly as World Mental Health Day approaches on October 10, with this year’s theme focusing on the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace.
In Fiji, however, the Ministry of Employment is struggling with limited resources and expertise to effectively address workplace mental health issues. Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh expressed the ministry’s need for support from employers to help their employees navigate mental health challenges. He acknowledged the ministry’s shortcomings in offering adequate mental well-being assistance and highlighted the importance of employers offering counseling services within their organizations.
To bridge this gap, Empower Pacific, a non-governmental organization that provides counseling and social support, has implemented an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in collaboration with employers. This program allows workers to receive counseling referrals from their employers for mental health concerns affecting their work life. However, many cases involve a mix of workplace and home issues that exacerbate employees’ mental health struggles.
Besides referrals, some individuals have sought help by visiting Empower Pacific’s offices or calling their 24/7 toll-free helpline at 5626 for confidential counseling regarding various life challenges.
According to WHO, improving workplace mental health requires involvement from government bodies, employers, worker organizations, and other stakeholders through several measures: preventing work-related mental health conditions, promoting mental health awareness, supporting employees with mental health conditions, and fostering a conducive environment for change. WHO emphasizes the necessity for meaningful worker involvement to ensure effective mental health strategies at work.
To protect mental health, WHO suggests training for managers to better recognize and respond to emotional distress among their staff, enhancing mental health literacy and awareness among workers to reduce stigma, and providing interventions that equip individuals with skills to cope with stress while promoting physical well-being.
Individuals with mental health conditions also have the right to participate fully and equitably in the workforce. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities supports this right, encompassing workers with psychosocial disabilities.
WHO also outlines essential interventions to empower those with mental health challenges to find and retain jobs. These include reasonable workplace accommodations tailored to individual needs, return-to-work programs combining clinical support with workplace care, and supported employment initiatives offering continued mental health and vocational assistance for individuals with severe mental conditions.
Employers concerned about their employees’ mental health can reach out to Empower Pacific for information about the EAP partnership. For workers coping with mental health issues, calling 5626 connects them with qualified counselors for confidential support. The helpline is backed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, with radio advertisements sponsored by the Rotary Club of Suva Peninsula Sunset and Fijian Broadcasting Corporation.