New measures to tackle mental health issues
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Nov 2022
An estimated 12bn workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety, and these cost the global economy nearly $1tn, according to two new publications from WHO and ILO.
The new publications – WHO Guidelines on mental health at work and a derivative WHO/ILO policy brief – have called for concrete actions to address mental health concerns in the working population.
WHO’s global guidelines on mental health at work recommend actions to tackle risks to mental health such as heavy workloads, negative behaviours, and other factors that create distress at work. For the first time WHO has recommended manager training, to build their capacity to prevent stressful work environments and respond to workers in distress.
The WHO report showed that of one billion people living with a mental disorder in 2019, 15% of working-age adults experienced a mental disorder.
Bullying and psychological violence is a major complaint of workplace harassment that has a negative impact on mental health and yet discussing or disclosing mental health remains a taboo in work settings globally.
The guidelines also recommend better ways to accommodate the needs of workers with mental health conditions, propose interventions that support their return to work and, for those with severe mental health conditions, provide interventions that facilitate entry into paid employment. Importantly, the guidelines call for interventions aimed at the protection of health, humanitarian, and emergency workers.
The aim of a separate WHO/ILO policy brief is to support the prevention of mental health risks, protect and promote mental health at work, and support those with mental health conditions, so they can participate and thrive in the world of work. Investment and leadership will be critical to the implementation of the strategies. M