By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, Oct.10.GNA- Ghana has observed the World Mental Health Day (WMHD) with a call on employers to encourage employees to take breaks, utilise leave days and avoid excessive over time.
Professor Sammy Ohene, a Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Ghana Medical School, who made the call, said flexible working hours and remote work option could promote a better work-life balance for employees.
He was speaking at a public lecture held by the Psychiatry Department, Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital, to mark the WMHD in Accra.
The Psychiatrist said employers needed to create and foster a culture of respect, inclusivity and support while recognising and rewarding employee’s achievement.
He urged employers to offer access to mental health professionals, employee assistance programmes and workshops on stress management, resilience, and coping strategies.
Prof. Ohene stressed the need for employers to train managers and supervisors on how to recognise signs of mental health issues, how to approach and support employees struggling with their mental health.
He called for the promotion of regular physical activity by providing gyms at the workplace, organising wellness challenges or encouraging walking meetings.
“Employers need to address common stressors such as unrealistic workloads, lack of control and unclear job expectations,” he said.
World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on 10 October, to raise awareness on mental health issues and encourage efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues.
This year’s celebration is on the theme, “Mental Health at Work,” reminding the world of the importance of mental health at work.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says safe, healthy working environments can act as a protective factor for mental health.
It said unhealthy conditions such as stigma, discrimination, and exposure to risks like harassment can affect the mental health of workers.
“Work plays a very important role in a person’s mental health, providing a sense of identity and purpose, and of course, income, but it can also be harmful to mental health, through bullying and harassment, sexual violence, inequality and discrimination, racism, heavy workloads, underpayment, a toxic culture and more,” the WHO said.
The WHO informs that poor mental health can lead to decreased performance, absenteeism, and increased staff turnover.
Depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year, costing the global economy around US$1 trillion annually, according to the global health organisation which also asserts that while workers spend approximately a third of their lives at work, it is easy to overlook the importance of mental health in the workplace.
“For many of us, work is a significant source of stress, anxiety, and pressure, and yet, because it is a place where we spend most of our time, positive change created at work can make a significant change in our lives,” the WHO said.
It calls for a supportive environment where employees feel valued, respected, and cared for, saying that will ensure a higher job satisfaction, reduced stress levels and improved happiness among employees.
GNA