Offer mental health/stress management education at workplaces- Psychiatric Nurse to employers

A Psychiatric Nurse, Issac Borlu, has encouraged employers to offer mental health and stress management education and programs that meet their needs and interest.

According to him, mental health is important to both employees and employers hence the need to be taken seriously.

While business owners cannot prevent issues around mental health and stress in the workplace by providing education and increasing awareness, they can build an accepting environment that supports and encourages mental and physical well-being.

A recent study led by World Health Organization (WHO) found that more than 300 million people around the world suffer from depression and another 260 million from anxiety, with many living with both conditions and such disorders cost the global economy 1 trillion dollars in lost productivity each year.

WHO further estimates 1 out of 4 people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime.

Speaking in an interview with Zaa news, Mr. Issac said a workplace that is negligent of employee mental health often eventually suffers lost productivity, adding that when not paid enough attention, mental health problems in the workplace can lead to low happiness, low performance, bad relationships among workers.

According to him, the impact of mental health problems in the workplace has serious consequences not only for the individual but also for the productivity of the company, adding employees’ performances, rates of illness, absenteeism, accidents and staff turnaround are all affected by employers’ mental health status.

He says organizations have the responsibility to support individuals with mental disorders in either continuing or returning to work. The Psychiatric nurse also encouraged that employers create the friendly and healthy environment for employees to deliver as mandated by the organization.

BY: LILIAN D. WALTER