World Mental Health Day
It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental Health Awareness began in 1949 by Mental Health America, and spread throughout the world.
World Mental Health Day is on 10 October, and the month of October is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month.
The theme for 2024 is, “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.” The purpose of this campaign is to create awareness about mental health illnesses, consider ways of coping, reduce the stigma attached to mental illnesses, and to support those living with mental illnesses.
Many types of mental illnesses such as Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic Disorders, Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorders and others, significantly affect the lives and activities of daily living of those afflicted.
Research undertaken by Wits and published on 14/11/2022, reveals that South Africans suffer higher rates of probable depression and anxiety than other countries. The contributors are adverse childhood experiences, socio-economic status, geographic location, age, marital status and education levels. To address the problem, the research proposes that more mental health services are urgently needed together with intervention and counselling programmes, more skilled health professionals and more budget for prevention, treatment and support strategies.
Employers and businesses should ensure that space and time is provided where employees can discuss their mental health problems and seek the necessary help. When attention to mental health is provided, people tend to have better working relationships, are loyal, productive and happier. In turn this boosts the sales or productivity of the Companies that they work for.
As individuals we should endeavor to have a work/life balance in order to avoid burn-out. This may include taking a break to relax, engaging in Mindfulness exercises, managing relationships, pursuing hobbies or special interests in free time, doing physical exercises, caring for others, involvement in community work, and talking about your feelings when overwhelmed.
“Life doesn’t make sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all.” – Erik Erikson.
by Dr Guru Kistnasamy
SEPSA ExCo Member