As Africa joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, has called for increased efforts to address mental well-being in professional environments.
Dr. Moeti made the call in a statement to commemorate the 2024 World Mental Health Day, themed: Healthy Minds at Work, Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace.”
She emphasised the vital role workplaces play in shaping employees’ mental health, stressing that while a healthy work environment fosters social connections and personal identity, the pressures of poor working conditions, discrimination, and lack of support can lead to severe stress and mental health challenges.
Employees in vulnerable sectors, such as healthcare, emergency services, and low-wage jobs, face even greater risks due to limited job security and support, she stated.
The negative impacts of poor mental health in the workplace are well-documented, with depression and anxiety contributing to the loss of around 12 billion workdays globally each year. This results in an estimated $1 trillion economic loss annually.
Despite these alarming figures, only eight of the 47 countries in the WHO African Region had workplace mental health promotion programs as of 2020.
Dr. Moeti outlined key recommendations from the WHO and the International Labor Organization for governments, employers, and workers to improve mental health in the workplace, which include revising employment policies to ensure parity between mental and physical health, preventing workplace discrimination, and providing better support systems for workers experiencing mental health issues.
For employers, Dr. Moeti urged the integration of mental health into occupational safety programs, providing mental health training for managers, and offering accommodations for employees with mental health conditions.
At the individual level, she encouraged workers to prioritise their mental well-being and seek support when needed.
