Each year, about 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness, with anxiety and depression being most common. In commemoration of this year’s World Mental Health Day, an event was organized by the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE) in partnership with the National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS) to celebrate the 32nd edition. With the theme “It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace”, the event aimed to raise public awareness about the vital importance of mental health.
Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel, and act. It plays a crucial role in how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Statistics have proven that in the workplace, mental health significantly impacts productivity, job satisfaction, and relationships among colleagues.
However, many individuals find that their work can pose serious threats to their mental well-being with about 77% of employees experiencing burnout in their current jobs, as recognized by the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization emphasizes that every worker has the right to a safe, healthy, and decent working environment, which is fundamental for fostering good mental health.
Talking to the press, Dr. Menguene Laure, Deputy Director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Public Health shared that, passing more time at the workplace than at home has put many people in a state of discomfort due to the many problems they face. “Frustration, harassment and violence have a physical impact on humans. Being in a state of discomfort could expose one to any kind to diseases. Diabetes, hypertension and many others. Mental, it will put you in a state of depression, illicit drug consumption and even push you into suicide.” She said.
On the social aspect, Dr. Menguene went on to say that, aggression and irritability are all effects of poor mental health states on individuals which must be combatted.
It is a proven fact that, mental health issues can reduce employee productivity by 20%. Companies lose up to $300 billion annually due to mental health-related absenteeism and presenteeism. “It is important to sensitize because that state has an impact on the productivity and development because, if you have people who are in a state of discomfort and who are working, you can be sure not to achieve your objective” the Deputy Director added.
To the World Federation for Mental Health, numerous factors contribute to this distress besides job-related stress. These include chronic pressure and a lack of support. Approximately 60% of employees report that work is a significant source of stress.
According to the Chief of Medical Service at the CNPS, Dr. Mben II Jean Marc, unproductive presenteeism at work is more persistent than they realize. He believes this could be due to working environment or the extra professional space. “Employees could have problems which affect them at work and vice versa. This is an issue which must be taken care of by doctors who are specialists in the field.”
He further shared that, they focus on the workers, the enterprise who is the employer in other words, and the society because these he believes are the 3 aspects which influence psychosocial problems.
Psychosocial risks in the workplace can arise from various sources, including the nature of the job itself, working hours, and the overall work environment.
Following a listing by the Ministry of Public Health, some psychosocial risks identified in the workplace encompass a range of issues, such as:
– Underutilization of skills or being underqualified.
– High workload or excessive work pace.
– Insufficient staffing, both in quantity and quality.
– Extended, rigid working hours that clash with social life.
– Dangerous or challenging working conditions.
– An organizational culture that allows for negative behaviors.
– Limited support from colleagues or authoritarian management styles.
– Interpersonal conflicts, violence, harassment, or intimidation.
– Discrimination and exclusion.
– Lack of influence over task definition or workload.
– Poorly defined roles or tasks.
– Tyrannical management practices.
– Job insecurity, inadequate salary, or insufficient investment in career development.
– Incompatibility between professional demands and family responsibilities.
The repercussions of mental health issues at work can be far-reaching. MINSANTE believes these risks can lead to serious consequences for both employees and organizations.
They include:
– A deteriorating work atmosphere.
– Reduced quality of life and overall well-being.
– Declines in productivity and job performance.
– Demotivation and disengagement from work.
– Increased conflicts and aggressive behaviors.
– A breakdown in collaboration and communication.
– Higher rates of absenteeism and presenteeism.
– Job abandonment and voluntary resignations.
– Experiences of burnout, brown-out, and bore-out.
– Increased anxiety and depression.
– Physical health issues, such as cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.
– Other acute or chronic medical problems.
In response to these challenges, the following measures are recommended to protect and promote mental health in the workplace:
– Taking effective initiatives and committing to mental health by integrating it into workplace policies.
– Providing training for workers on mental health issues to enhance their understanding and ability to recognize emotional distress in their colleagues.
– Implementing contextualized interventions, such as psychosocial support and opportunities for recreational activities, to help employees manage stress effectively.
– Investing adequate human and financial resources to improve mental health at work.
– Prioritizing mental health across all sectors by incorporating it into existing occupational safety and health systems.
– Involving employees in decision-making processes in a constructive and inclusive manner.
– Conducting research to build a factual and contextual database on psychosocial risks and the effectiveness of interventions, ensuring that decisions related to mental health at work are informed by local and up-to-date data.
– Establishing legislative and regulatory frameworks that address both mental health in the workplace and overall mental health considerations.