Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud has called for the promotion of healthy work environments where employees can thrive and effectively contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Addressing the press in Lilongwe yesterday on the World Mental Health Day commemorated on October 10, she said there is need for mental health training and awareness programmes, flexible work arrangements and leave policies as well as access to mental health professionals and anti-stigma campaigns to reduce mental health impacts such as suicide.
World Mental Health Day is a global initiative that aims to raise awareness of mental matters around the world and this year it is being commemorated under the theme ‘It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace’.
Daud said Malawi will commemorate the day under the modified theme ‘It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace: Healthy workforce is the best workforce’.
She said even the healthiest employees can suffer physically and mentally if their work environment is unhealthy.
Said Daud: “This underscores the importance of priotising mental health in the workplace. We need employment laws that are adequate to protect and support people who can disclose and have mental health difficulties.”
Speaking in an interview, World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Neema Kimambo said there are several sources of stress at work that pose a risk to mental health such as discrimination and inequality, poor working conditions, being underpaid and undervalued, harassment and bullying.
She said: “The commemoration of World Mental Health Day serves as a reminder to our awareness that mental health is key to our complete well-being and productive life. Mental health is a critical concern that affects us all.”
World Mental Health Day has been commemorated since 1992. According to WHO, globally over a billion people suffer from mental, neurological or substance use disorders.
In Africa, this figure exceeds 100 million.
