World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10, was first initiated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).The theme for 2024, Mental Health at Work, highlights the critical connection between mental health and the workplace. With an estimated 60% of the global population in some form of employment, addressing mental health at work has become imperative. Safe and inclusive work environments can promote mental well-being, whereas poor working conditions can result in significant mental health risks. The theme emphasizes the importance of taking collective action to ensure that workplaces foster mental health, protect against harm, and support those who need help.
INTRODUCTION
No illness is ashamed about age, sex, gender, status, wealth and religion. One of them is MENTAL HEALTH. According to WHO definition "Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community". This is an illness which is frequently ignored. We generally brush things this aside, particularly people from multicultural backgrounds; we assume talking about it as a shame. Unless we seek help, it will not cure. It is important to know that neither physical and mental health exist separately-mental, physical and social functioning are interdependent. The quality of a person’s mental health is influenced by idiosyncratic factors and experiences, their family relationships and circumstances and the wider community in which they live.
SCALE OF THE PROBLEM
The number of people experiencing mental health problems worldwide is reported to have risen to nearly epidemic proportions, with depression identified as the leading cause of disability among 15–44-year-olds (WHO 1996). India, home to one of the largest populations in the world, faces unique challenges in addressing mental health issues. With a history of underfunded mental health services and significant stigma surrounding mental illness, the country has taken significant steps toward improving mental health care infrastructure and policies. For the first time ever, the Economic Survey 2023-24 tabled by the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on July 22, 2024, talked about mental health, its significance and implications on policy recommendations. Acknowledging mental health as a principally impactful driver of individual and national development, the Survey notes that as per the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) 2015-16, 10.6% adults in India suffered from mental disorders while treatment gap for mental disorders ranged between 70% and 92% for different disorders. Further, the prevalence of mental morbidity was higher in urban metro regions (13.5%) as compared to rural areas (6.9%) and urban non-metro areas (4.3%). Citing NCERT’s Mental Health and Well-being of School Students Survey, the Survey highlights an increasing prevalence of poor mental health among adolescents exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 11% of students reported as feeling anxious, 14% as feeling extreme emotion and 43% experiencing mood swings.
MENTAL HEALTH IN WORKPLACE:KEY FACTORS
Mental Health and Work: A positive and supportive work environment is critical for fostering mental well-being, providing employees with a sense of purpose, stability, and job satisfaction. On the other hand, adverse working conditions can negatively affect mental health, lowering productivity and morale. Employees tend to be more motivated in an inclusive and respectful workplace. Conversely, stress, discrimination, abuse, and micromanagement can create a hostile environment that diminishes motivation and job satisfaction.
Stigma and Barriers: People with mental illness are perceived as dangerous and unpredictable; there is an implied belief that the mentally ill choose to behave as they do and have only themselves to blame for their situation; people with mental illness are believed to respond poorly to treatment, and outcomes are poor, therefore they are an embarrassment and should be avoided; the mentally ill are seen as difficult to communicate with and this makes for unpredictable social intercourse.
Broader Effects on Work and Society: Mental health issues in the workplace are not isolated to individual workers; they have a wider societal impact. Poor mental health can result in reduced performance, absenteeism, and higher staff turnover. Globally, depression and anxiety alone contribute to the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year, underscoring the economic and social consequences of untreated mental health conditions.
SUMMARY
Considerable terminological confusion exists in relation to issues associated with mental health generally and among children and young people specifically. Furthermore, stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness and related issues continue to pose a challenge. Children, young people and adults display similar negative attitudes towards both mental illness and individuals experiencing mental health problems or illness. However, there is some evidence that these might be amenable to interventions such as education.
SOURCES
News articles Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board