Mental Health Matters in The World of Work
Mental health matters were projected as the next pandemic post covid-19 pandemic. Employees and people across the world are suffering from different mental health illnesses, approximately 1 billion people across the world are affected. In low-income countries the situation is worse. In the case of South Africa, mental health remains a taboo in black communities and access to mental health services remains a challenge. Mental health issues in the world of work could be triggered by multiple factors including but not limited to toxic working environments, work overload, and pressure as well as major personal challenges (job loss, divorce, death of loved one etc.). It is from this backdrop that institutions must address the mental health and overall well-being of their employees, and people in general. Mental health is connected and intertwined to overall well-being.
There are various programmes institutions/companies can explore to create enabling conditions for their employees to reach out for support when affected by mental health. Companies should share and refer resources and important information to their employees. Juts like Spotify, companies should also implement wellness shut down for the whole week to let their employees take care of their mental health. This is not a cost but an investment in their people. Furthermore, other strategies could be mental breaks implemented in between meetings and work during the day.
Mental Health Matters
Institutions which have internal capacity should hire therapist/s for their employees so that when their employees are feeling a level of anxiety and pressure, they may be able to have an inhouse support. In addition, institutions which do not have capacity or financial resource, should be able to give employees time to go for consultation. This will in the long run lead to the progress and productivity of the company. The company will not lose its workforce due to being admitted because preventative measures would be put in place.
For overall mental health and general well-being, companies and employers should check on their employees, support them, refer them to professionals and encourage them to take breaks, rest, and exercise. If you take care of the people, the people will take care of the business. Institutions should be intentional to create educational and support campaigns and teach about mental health, how to prevent, and how to manage mental health.
October every month is mental health month in South Africa, however, given the seriousness and urgency of mental health issues, the campaigns and conversation must continue beyond the campaign month, the conversations must happen everywhere and all the time. Companies which lead conversation and are open about mental health issues will attract top talent and will also epitomize healthy working environment. In summary, mental health matters and must be taken with the level of seriousness it deserves for the well-being of people and success of business.
Mental Health Matters
