THE MENTAL HEALTH SERIES MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

With the advent of high unemployment rates bedevilling the country, it is safe to say that work is good for our mental health. Nevertheless, some work environments can lead to mental health problems. According to Mental Health at Work Report 2017, “60 % of employees have experienced a mental health issue due to work or where work was a contributing factor at some point in their careers.”

Various entities and organisations are often striving to meet set targets and profits. This undertaking often leaves the employees under a significant strain on their mental health being. Other factors include; Psychological harassment Workplace bullying Authoritarian leadership Inadequate employee support

Poor communication patterns Unavailability of workplace mental health policies

An end result of poor mental health in the workplace include massive burnout, stress, workplace conflicts, which can develop into serious mental health problems like depression, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders to name but a few.

A surge in mental health problems have far reaching consequences which include reduced productivity, increased staff turnover and plummeting health care costs for the organisation. An underlying statement therefore is that good mental health plays a significant role in organisational progress.

It is nigh organisations have well-crafted workplace mental health wellness policies. This will essentially result in good performance overall. Supporting and promoting mental health in the workplace should not be the task of the human resource department alone but should be for the multidisciplinary team! It is worth mentioning that employees with existing mental health problems also need support. Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises that every person with disability has the right to work and not discriminated against in the workplace thus no one should be fired on account of mental illness. Employers need to allow them flexible working hours and redesign job to allow for settlement in workplace.