The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10, is “It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” This theme was selected through a global vote involving members and supporters of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and serves as a call to action that resonates across the globe.
While many individuals emphasize physical health through healthy eating and regular exercise, mental health often takes a backseat. The WFMH notes that employed adults devote the majority of their waking hours to work. In announcing the theme in April, WFMH President Tsuyoshi Akiyama highlighted that while work can offer financial support and meaning, it often falls short of enhancing individuals’ lives, leading to mental health issues rather than promoting well-being.
Akiyama pointed out that mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are widespread in workplaces, adversely affecting productivity, attendance, and overall performance. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that untreated mental health issues result in a staggering economic loss of around $1 trillion annually.
Empower Pacific, a non-governmental organization focused on counseling and social work support, assists both employed and unemployed individuals, including children grappling with mental health issues. Many employees seek counseling through referrals from their employers, addressing work-related problems that spill over into personal life.
The WHO states that decent work is integral to good mental health, but adverse working environments—excessive workloads, discrimination, and job insecurity—pose significant risks. It was estimated that 15% of working-age adults had a mental disorder in 2019, contributing to a global loss of 12 billion working days yearly due to depression and anxiety.
Effective strategies to promote mental well-being at work are available, and the WHO emphasizes that all workers deserve a safe and healthy work environment. Good work conditions provide benefits such as financial stability, a sense of purpose, positive relationships, and structured routines.
Risks to mental health in the workplace include skill under-utilization, excessive workloads, inflexibility in hours, poor physical conditions, and lack of support. Additionally, negative organizational cultures, as well as job insecurity and inadequate career development opportunities, have adverse effects on mental well-being.
Akiyama remarked that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity of addressing mental health at work. Today, many leaders recognize that addressing these needs not only benefits individuals but also fosters healthy, high-performing organizations. Data consistently indicate that prioritizing mental health in the workplace benefits people, businesses, and communities alike.
The focus for World Mental Health Day 2024 will encompass various aspects of workplace mental health, emphasizing conditions, stress management, social inclusion, and empowerment. Akiyama called for global collaboration among all stakeholders, including businesses, to enhance workplace mental health.
He encouraged anyone facing mental health challenges to reach out and utilize the 24/7 toll-free counseling helpline at 5626, speaking with a qualified counselor. This helpline, supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, aims to create a brighter future for all by prioritizing mental health in the workplace.