Invest in mental health, wealth of employees — Dr Issaka Lawerh Tetteh

An associate member of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana (CIHRM), Dr Issaka Lawerh Tetteh, says the continued relegation of the mental health of employees at workplaces to the background is inimical to the success and vision of companies and the country as a whole.

He bemoaned the continued stigmatisation, prejudice, discrimination and marginalisation of persons with mental health conditions, saying it degenerates into societal malaise.

“We know that mental health is the foundation upon which we build our lives, careers, communities and societies; mental wealth is not merely the absence of mental illness but the presence of positive mental well-being that fosters resilience and drives success,” he stated.

Dr Lawerh Tetteh made these revelations in a valedictory speech at the 13th Conferral and 17th Graduation ceremony of students of CIHRM at the Christ the King Parish in Accra recently.

A resilient workforce spurs growth

Speaking on the theme: “From mental health to mental wealth; building a resilient workforce for peak performance”, he stressed that for any organisation to establish a workforce of employees with strong mental health, it is imperative to invest in building mental strength to life’s uncertainties.

The participants

He admonished industries and companies to prioritise the self-care of their employees, create an enabling space and environment where individuals feel empowered to speak openly about their mental health and foster a sociable environment where people can connect and interact with each other.

“Our mental wealth is enriched by our social connections and interactions, as we forge ahead, let us reach out to one another, share our experiences, maintain positive relationships, enjoy a high quality of life, uplift the people around us and prioritise our mental wealth,” he noted.

He revealed that between 85 to 98 per cent of Ghanaians are unable to afford the cost of mental health treatment and appealed to the government to make treatment affordable to all Ghanaians.

“Human Resource (HR) professionals must advocate for the inclusion of mental health care in the health policies at their respective places of work,” he stated.

Improves productivity

For her part, the CEO of the Mental Health Authority, Professor Pinaman Appau, disclosed that if prioritised, mental health would improve productivity and the well-being of employees.

“We must prioritise psychological safety at the workplace, encourage employees to get involved in activities that make them express themselves and share ideas without fear of being victimised,” she stated.

She entreated human resource practitioners in various organisations to get experts to train management and the leadership on emotional intelligence to appreciate the mental well-being of employees.

“Mental well-being is part of our daily lives. We should not think it is an illness; we need to work at it,” she stated.

Graduation

More than 50 graduates were awarded certificates and five-star gold pins for the completion of their courses while 46 others were co-opted as associate members.