Tuesday 10 October marks the 25th anniversary of the first World Mental Health Day. Under this year’s banner of ‘Mental health in the workplace’, the day seeks to raise awareness of mental health issues in the workplace and support initiatives that promote better mental health.
The 2017 workplace theme is based on an understanding that we spend a significant part of our adult lives at work – however this environment can have both positive and negative impacts on a person’s mental health.
Increased workload pressures and responsibilities, poor management and organizational culture and workplace harassment or bullying can significantly impact on a person’s mental health, leading to depression or anxiety.
Pacific islanders are equally vulnerable to these mental health threats. Rising costs of living, stressful new work environments and workplace structures that do not always align with traditional social structures and increasing environmental and financial pressures on traditional industries, such as farming and fishing, all place stress and anxiety on Pacific islanders. Despite increased mental health services in the Pacific, there remains a need for additional services and resources to support our communities.
Today WHO calls upon Pacific island employers to take positive actions that raise awareness of mental health issues and promote better mental health within the workplace. This includes:
Building a healthy workplace, where employees care for each other Promoting and supporting healthy work-life balance
Recognising and rewarding the contribution of employees
Providing employees an avenue for career development
Providing employees with the opportunity for involvement in decision-making and control over their work responsibilities
Implementing health and safety policies and practices, including providing annual leave and other resources to employees
Understanding more about mental illnesses to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental health problems
Informing and supporting staff to access to local mental health services and support groups.
For more information about mental health in the workplace, go to:
