In today’s society, the concept of mental health is more acknowledged and understood than in the past. With the increasing pressure that modern life brings and the constant information overload of the digital age, people have become more conscious and aware of their mental health and the role it plays in everyday life.

The 10^th of October marks and commemorates World Mental Health Day, a global initiative founded by the World Federation for Mental Health. World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in October of 1992 and aims to promote mental health advocacy while educating the public about mental health issues. The theme for this year is “It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace”.

An article by Sulaiyman Philander from the Division of Research and Methodology reads, “This year, the focus is on mental health in the workplace, an area gaining attention due to the increasing pressures of modern work life. [The theme] highlights the need for a holistic approach, advocating for mental health awareness and practices that foster thriving work environments.

How does the workplace affect mental health?

Studies show that having a decent career can support good mental health. It provides a means for a living, a structured routine, purpose, and achievement. However, there are risks to mental health in the workplace, which are also known as ‘psychosocial’ risks. Workplaces with excessive workloads, long unsocial hours, lack of leadership and support, poor physical work conditions, discrimination and exclusion, unclear job roles, and/or inadequate pay could increase the risk of bad mental health.

Workers living with mental illnesses may be at risk of bad mental health, even in a decent workplace. The World Health Organization (WHO) writes, “People with severe mental health conditions are more likely to be excluded from employment, and when in employment, they are more likely to experience inequality at work. Being out of work also poses a risk to mental health”.

How can mental health improve in the workplace?

An online statistic on mental health in the workplace states that only 13% of employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health in the workplace [6]. Further statistics say that since the pandemic, 81% of workplaces have increased their focus on employee mental health [2]. However, 1 in 3 employees still feel that mental health support in their workplace is inadequate and would like more support from their employers [3]. This means that it is likely that there isn’t enough valuable support for employees struggling with their mental health in the workplace.

To effectively improve mental health in the workplace, employers must create an environment for change. This includes integrating mental health into organisational policies, dedicating resources for employee mental health services, and scheduling employee consultations. In such environments, employers and other employee representatives responsible for workers’ health and safety can successfully maintain good mental health in the workplace by:

• Managing Psychosocial Risks: Assessing, mitigating, modifying, or removing potential risks
• Promoting Mental Health: Manager-employee training and individual intervention
• Supporting Employees Living with Mental Illnesses: Reasonable work conditions and accommodations and clinical care programs

This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is a testament to the importance of mental health awareness and the necessity to protect and prioritize employee mental health. If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health, please contact the organisations below:

• LifeLine South Africa – www. HYPERLINK “http://www.lifelinesa.co.za/”lifelinesa.co.za, 011 715 2000

• SA Federation for Mental Health – www.safmh.org, 011 781 1852

• The Goldilocks and The Bear Foundation – www. HYPERLINK “http://www.gb4adhd.co.za/”gb4adhd.co.za, 082 534 8074