2024 World MHD: Let’s prioritise mental health in workplaces -MHA CE Prof. Pinaman Appau

As Ghana joins the globe to celebrate the World Mental Day, Chief Executive of Mental Health Authority in Ghana Prof. Pinaman Appau has called on government, employers and organisations to immediately prioritise mental health issues within the workplace.

Speaking at 2024 World Mental Health Day Forum in Accra-Ghana, Chief Executive of Mental Health Authority Prof. Pinaman Appau said “Madam Chair, mental health in the workplace has far-reaching implications for society and the global economy. Prioritizing mental health is not merely a moral obligation; it is a strategic business decision. Companies that invest in the mental well-being of their employees have been proven to consistently report substantial returns in the form of
enhanced employee engagement, reduced absenteeism, and higher job satisfaction. A
mentally healthy workforce is a productive one, capable of driving great organizational
success.

According to Prof. Appau, “Mental health challenges within the workplace may be occasioned by organizational risks including excessive workloads, understaffing, inflexible and prolonged working hours, the underutilization or overuse of skills, poor physical working conditions, harassment or bullying, discrimination, and organizational cultures that permit or encourage negative
behaviors. These risk factors Madam Chair, must be addressed in any effort to promote
workplace mental health”.

She noted that “fostering an environment where open conversations about mental well-being are encouraged and
the stigma associated with mental health issues, systematically dismantled. It means
providing employees with access to mental health resources, such as counselling
services, stress management programs, and wellness initiatives. It means equipping
leaders and managers with the knowledge and tools to recognize signs of mental health struggles and enabling them to provide support to their teams in a meaningful and effective manner”.

Read the full welcome address by the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority Prof. Pinaman Appau at the 2024 World Mental Health Day Forum 10/10/2024

Indeed, “It’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace.” Our world today, and
especially our nation Ghana, is characterized by rapid change, increasing stressors, and increasing mental health challenges. It is evidently clear that the well-being of our workforce now is, and must be priority for every institution and organization.

Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, and members of the press, welcome to the 2024 World Mental Health Day commemoration here at the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Centre. This theme, ladies and gentlemen resonates today more than ever due to the increasing recognition of mental health’s impact on overall productivity, employee well-being and organizational success. This is why the Mental Health Authority, this day, is joining hands with other stakeholders to emphasize mental health as not being merely an individual concern, but a collective responsibility. It is indeed a national responsibility.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), explicitly puts it that approximately 12 billion
working days are lost globally each year due to depression and anxiety. The result of this,
Madam Chair, is an estimated annual financial loss of one trillion dollars globally. These staggering figures highlight the importance of investing in the mental health of workers byemployers. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported that in 2019, 15% of working-age adults were estimated to suffer from one mental disorder or another, and it is likely that this number has increased due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and all these surging global challenges we are experiencing as people of the world.

The ILO informs us that as at 2023, over 60% of Ghana’s population, which is predominantly youthful anyway, was engaged in some form of employment. This number forms the powerhouse of our economy; and we dare not overlook the mental well-being of those who form the backbone of our nation’s economy and drive it development. This, ladies and gentlemen underscores the critical importance of addressing issues of mental health in our workforce. It is important to stress that poor mental health not only affects individuals but also leads to physical health conditions, which in turn increases the risk of  workplace accidents and decreases overall productivity.

Madam Chair, mental health in the workplace has far-reaching implications for society and global economy. Prioritizing mental health is not merely a moral obligation; it is a strategic business decision. Companies that invest in the mental well-being of their employees have been proven to consistently report substantial returns in the form of
enhanced employee engagement, reduced absenteeism, and higher job satisfaction. A
mentally healthy workforce is a productive one, capable of driving great organizational success.

Mental health challenges within the workplace may be occasioned by organizational risks including excessive workloads, understaffing, inflexible and prolonged working hours, the underutilization or overuse of skills, poor physical working conditions, harassment or bullying, discrimination, and organizational cultures that permit or encourage negative behaviors. These risk factors Madam Chair, must be addressed in any effort to promote workplace mental health.

So, what does it truly mean to prioritize mental health in the workplace? It means fostering an environment where open conversations about mental well-being are encouraged and the stigma associated with mental health issues, systematically dismantled. It means providing employees with access to mental health resources, such as counselling services, stress management programs, and wellness initiatives. It means equipping leaders and managers with the knowledge and tools to recognize signs of mental health struggles and enabling them to provide support to their teams in a meaningful and  effective manner.

We all have a role to play in this endeavor. Today, I call upon business leaders, human
resource professionals, and employees to champion mental health initiatives within their organizations. Let us advocate for policies that promote work-life balance, introduce mental wellness days, and establish comprehensive support systems that ensure employee mental health needs are addressed. Together, we can create workplaces where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
As we continue on this journey, let us take practicable steps toward creating healthier,
more compassionate, and more productive workplaces for all. We must collectively
commit to making mental health a priority, ensuring that every individual brings
themselves to work each day, free from the burdens of untreated mental health issues.

Let me sign off by thanking you all for your attention and commitment to this critical cause. Together, we can make mental health a priority in the workplace, paving the way for a, brighter healthier future for everyone.
Thank you.