Agencies of the United Nations have produced two publications aimed at prevent negative work situations and cultures while also provide mental health protection and support for staff.
Performance and productivity suffer
“It’s time to focus on adverse effects Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, General Manager at WHOpublished global guide on this issue.
“An individual’s health is reason enough to act, but poor mental health can also be debilitating to a person’s performance and productivity.”
WHO guidelines include actions to address mental health risks in the workplace, such as heavy workloadNegative behaviors and other factors can cause distress.
For the first time, the United Nations health agency is recommending training for managers, aimed at enhancing their capacity to prevent stressful work environments and meet the needs of workers.
Taboo at work
WhoWorld Mental Health Reportpublished in June, revealed that of an estimated one billion people living with a mental disorder in 2019, 15% of working-age adults have experienced a mental disorder.
Noi working amplify broader social issues negative effects on mental health, including distinguish and inequality, the agency said.
Bullying and psychological violence, also known as “harassment,” is a major complaint about how harassment in the workplace has a negative impact on mental health. However, discussing or disclosing mental health remains a taboo in the global workplace.
The guidelines also recommend better ways to meet the needs of workers with mental health conditions and suggest interventions to support their return to work.
Increase your chances
They also outline measures to ease entry into the job market, for workers with serious mental health conditions.
Importantly, the guidance calls for interventions to protect health, humanitarian and emergency personnel.
A separation policy summary with ILO explains WHO guidelines on practical strategies to governments, employers and workers, and their organisations, in both the public and private sectors.
The goal is Helps prevent mental health risksprotect and promote mental health in the workplace, and support people with mental health conditions, so they can participate and thrive at work.
“As people spend most of their lives at work – a safe and healthy working environment is crucial,” said Guy Ryder, Director-General of the ILO.
“We need investment to building a culture of prevention around mental health in the workplacereshaping the work environment to end stigma and social exclusion, while ensuring employees with mental health conditions feel protected and supported. ”
ILO’s Convention on occupational health and safety, and a related introductionprovide legal frameworks to protect workers.
Lack of national programs
However, only 35% of countries reported having national programs to promote and prevent work-related mental health.
The COVID-19 Pandemic causes a 25% increase in anxiety and depression in general worldwide, according to WHO research published in March.
The crisis shows how unprepared governments are for its impact on mental health, as well as the chronic shortage of mental health resources globally.
In 2020, governments worldwide spend an average of just 2% of their health budgets on mental health, with lower middle-income countries allocating less than 1%.
