Commemoration of World Mental Health Day: Employers urged to prioritise health, safety of workers
Employers have been urged to prioritise the mental and occupational safety and health (OSH) policies of workers in their establishments.
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This is because mental health issues of employees were often dismissed as personal problems, rather than work-related risks.
Stress, depression and burnout does not only affect workers' well-being, but also hampers productivity and increases the risk of workplace accidents.
An Occupational Health and Safety Consultant, Dr Edith Clarke was speaking at a forum to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day on the theme: “It is time to prioritise mental health at the workplace.”
The event, which is celebrated on October 10, every year, was organised by the Mental Health Authority (MHA) and attended by health professionals, corporate leaders, government officials and mental health advocates.
Among issues discussed were the urgent need for organisations to take proactive steps to support mental well-being at work.
Risky drinking
Dr Clarke said studies had shown that 25 per cent of adults were engaged in risky drinking habits due to workplace stress.
To help address the situation, she said, mental health must be integrated into a broader occupational safety and health (OSH) legislative framework to ensure that employers conducted mental health risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies.
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Dr Clarke further said that workplace stressors such as job insecurity, unrealistic deadlines, poor ergonomics, and harassment contributed to the rising incidence of mental health problems.
Such issues, she added, could lead to presenteeism, where workers show up physically but are mentally disengaged, hence decreasing job performance and increasing the risk of accidents.
Dr Clarke said flexible work arrangements, mental health leave policies and anti-discriminatory measures were necessary steps towards fostering a supportive work environment.
Collaboration
The Chief Executive Officer of MHA, Prof. Pinaman Appau, said addressing the growing mental health challenges was a collective responsibility and should be treated as a national priority.
“International data available indicates that approximately 12 million working days are lost globally each year due to depression and anxiety, culminating in a staggering $1 trillion financial loss annually,” she said.
Prof. Appau said in 2019, an estimated 15 per cent of seasonal adults were reported to be suffering from mental health disorders, a figure likely to rise in the coming years due to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CEO urged organisational leaders to pay close attention to the mental well-being of workers, particularly in urban areas where the pressure to perform was high.
"Mental wellness is not only an urban goal, but a strategic decision. So companies that invest in their employees' mental well-being tend to see higher engagement, reduced labour costs and improved productivity,” she said.
Well-being
The Board Chairperson of MHA, Estelle Appiah, also said that the workplace played a role in influencing employees’ mental health.
She said workplaces should not only be places of productivity, but environments that fostered well-being, support and mental stability. "
The World Health Organisation Ghana Office reiterated its commitment to raising awareness of the critical link between mental health and work environments.