November 4, 2024

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World Mental Health Day, from Stress to Strength: The Impact of Mental Health Support in the Workplace

As the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, including geopolitical tensions, extreme weather events, disease outbreaks, and economic uncertainty, the mental health of employees has become a pressing concern. This year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Mental Health at Work”, is a crucial reminder for organizations to take action to safeguard their workforce’s mental health and well-being. In alignment with this theme, International SOS, the world’s leading health and security risk services company, encourages organizations worldwide to recognize the critical importance of mental well-being and resilience within their workforce.

Heightened anxiety

The increasing frequency and intensity of global crises, coupled with elevated job demands, are contributing to heightened levels of stress and anxiety, further exacerbating mental health concerns among the global workforce. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 15% of working-age adults are experiencing a mental disorder at any single point in time.

Additionally, International SOS assistance data reveals that over the past two years, the top five mental health-related assistance requests the organization received are:
1. Anxiety
2. Depression
3. Panic disorder
4. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
5. Acute stress

Burnout has also become a prominent issue among employees, with one in four employees worldwide reporting symptoms of burnout. The International SOS Risk Outlook 2024 report highlights employee burnout as a major threat impacting organizations.

Economic impact

Moreover, the economic impact of mental health issues cannot be ignored. The WHO estimates that globally, approximately 12 billion working days are lost annually to depression and anxiety, resulting in US$ 1 trillion in lost productivity per year.1 These figures highlight the importance for employers to create a workplace that promotes mental well-being and underscores the immense cost of neglecting employee mental health and well-being at work. Organizations play a pivotal role in shaping the mental health landscape by implementing policies and practices that promote well-being.

WHO emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing mental well-being in the workplace, as it can either foster well-being or contribute to stress and anxiety. It emphasizes the need to prioritize mental resilience, as mental health is integral to overall health, just like physical safety.

Moreover, WHO insisted on the importance of creating a supportive work environment, providing mental health professionals, counseling services, and employee assistance programs to empower employees to navigate challenges and contribute to a positive workplace.

To support the mental health and well-being of their workforce, International SOS provides advice for organisations:

1. Cultivate a supportive work culture with strong leadership commitment: Create a workplace culture and environment that prioritizes and promotes open communication on mental health. Ensure mental well-being initiatives are seamlessly integrated into relevant policies and practices to provide robust support.

2. Provide accessible resources: Ensure employees have a toolkit of mental health resources at their fingertips, from counseling to self-guidance materials.

3. Promote work-life balance: Offer flexible work arrangements and remote work options to help employees manage their personal and professional lives effectively. Encourage regular breaks and empower employees to prioritize their wellbeing.

4. Training and education: Implement comprehensive mental health awareness campaigns to reduce stigma. Roll out mental health training, enabling everyone to spot, understand and assist with mental health challenges.

5. Monitor and assess: Seek feedback and continuously monitor the mental health of employees through surveys and assessments, and adapt programmes as needed.

6. Invest in emotional wellbeing: provide access to mindfulness sessions and stress management training—partner with certified mental health professionals to offer confidential counselling and support services.

7. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs): Provide EAPs that offer confidential counselling and support services to employees. Promoting the availability and benefits of EAPs can encourage employees to seek help without fear of stigma, fostering a culture of openness and support.

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