It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace

  • Date posted

    Oct 08, 2024

What is World Mental Health Day?

Established in 1948, the World Federation for Mental Health initially comprised members from 46 countries, representing societies rather than individuals or nations. Today, the organization boasts members and contacts in over 90 countries, and has played a pivotal role in promoting global mental health awareness, dispelling misconceptions about mental disorders, and instilling hope in individuals worldwide.1

World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992, at the initiative of Richard C. Hunter, the then Deputy Secretary-General of the World Federation for Mental Health. Since then, it has been observed every year with the aim of raising awareness in the global community about critical mental health agendas through collaboration with various partners to take action and create lasting change. Over the years, this day has gained momentum, becoming a platform for governments, organizations, and individuals to develop initiatives that focus on various aspects of mental health care.2

The theme chosen for the 2024 World Mental Health Day is "It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace." This theme highlights the importance of focusing on mental health within the professional environment.3

Why should mental health be a top priority for employers?

It's important to remember that over half of the world's population is currently employed, and 15% of working-age adults live with a mental disorder. Without proper support, mental disorders and other mental health conditions can have a significant impact on a person's confidence, productivity at work, and ability to retain or find employment. Each year, an estimated twelve billion working days are lost to depression and anxiety alone, resulting in a substantial economic cost. People with severe mental health conditions often face exclusion from the workforce, despite the importance of work for their recovery. Mental health conditions can also affect families, caregivers, colleagues, communities, and society. Depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy around $ 1 trillion annually due to reduced productivity.

Recognizing that everyone has the right to work in a safe and healthy environment is crucial. While work can have a positive impact on mental health, it can also contribute to worsening mental health. However, work-related mental health conditions are preventable. There's much that can be done to protect and promote mental health in the workplace and to support individuals with mental health conditions to fully participate in the workforce.4

How a wellbeing program can help

At Navigate, our employees have found support through the Navigate platform, leveraging its resources on their personal wellbeing journeys. They start the journey by completing the comprehensive Total Health Survey to provide their personalized pathway to overall wellbeing. In addition, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees by offering a unique benefit – three dedicated wellbeing hours each week. This empowering initiative allows our team members to tailor their wellbeing activities to their needs without questions.

Navigate's platform will offer mental health coaching services to help our clients provide their workforce with mental health support starting in January 2025. Our professional health coaches will focus on assisting individuals to gain the tools they need to cope with stress and maintain a healthier state of mind. Participants will learn to manage work tension, parenting, grief, self-care, and more challenges. Reach out to your dedicated account manager to gain insights into Navigate's new coaching services. These services are specifically designed to provide personalized support to your employees, helping them improve their physical and mental wellbeing. By leveraging our coaching services, your organization can create a healthier and happier work environment, leading to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.

As we gear up to support World Mental Health Day, Navigate has curated a collection of resources and guides. These materials are designed to aid employers in effectively addressing mental health concerns in the workplace and fostering an environment that prioritizes the overall wellbeing of their employees.

Navigate Resources

Other Resources

Sources:

1, 2, 3 -https://wfmh.global/
4 https://www.who.int/teams/ment...

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