World Mental Health Day: Need to Prioritize Mental Health In The Workplace
By Ezechukwu Adimoha
The World mental health Day first celebrated in 1992 as an initiative by the World Federation of Mental Health ,a global Organization dedicated to promoting mental health worldwide is a day set aside to raise awareness in support of mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
Over the years, the day has grown in importance with more countries and organizations participating in campaigns to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
This year’s theme highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, for the benefit of people, organisations, and communities.
In its mission to make mental health a global priority, the day serves as a platform to encourage open conversations about mental health and promote initiatives for mental well-being.
According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of a reasonable number of workdays each year.
The Report also has it that unhealthy conditions such as stigma, discrimination, harassment and poor working conditions can pose serious threats to mental health thereby negatively impacting overall quality of life, work participation and productivity.
In an effort to achieve a healthy workforce World over, the World Health Organization in collaboration with its partners is emphasizing the crucial link between mental Health and the workplace.
However, mindfulness meditation, exercises, reducing intakes of stimulants ,more Social support services can help one’s mental health in a work environment.
With 60% of the global population in work,Effective remedies and approaches need to be taken by the government, organisations, and employers to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive at work and in life as well as prevent risks to mental health at work place.