Occupational Environment and Mental Health
Occupational environment and mental health , A stressful work environment is detrimental to mental health
A stressful work environment is detrimental to mental health, such as discrimination, inequality, excessive workload and insecurity at the workplace. According to a 2019 report, an estimated 15% of adult employees worldwide suffer from a mental disorder. According to a conservative estimate, 12 million working days are lost every year due to anxiety and stress, with a production cost of about US$1 trillion per year.
Therefore, in addition to promoting mental health in the workplace, effective measures are also essential for the well-being of employees suffering from mental disorders. Remember, working hard and earning a living are the guarantors of mental health.
About 60% of the world’s population works and earns a living. A safe and healthy workplace is the right of all employees. A decent livelihood is a source of good mental health, for which the following measures are considered essential.
A sense of confidence, purpose and achievement among workers.
Improved interpersonal relationships in the workplace and the opportunity for employees to join the community.
Availability of a platform to organize daily routines with multiple benefits.
Remember, reasonable work for people affected by mental health not only helps in their recovery, but their involvement in work also improves their confidence.
A safe and healthy professional environment is not only a fundamental right of every employee, but such an environment also helps in reducing stress and conflicts. In addition, it also has a positive impact on staff performance and productivity. On the contrary, the lack of effective facilities not only affects the ability to work better, but also reduces employee attendance.
Workplace Mental Health Risks For Occupational Environment and Mental Health
Workplace mental health risks are related to the nature of the job, work schedules, and specific workplace conditions, as well as opportunities for advancement. These risks include a number of factors. For example: under-skilling for the job or under-utilization of existing skills. Excessive workload or staff shortages.
Long or inflexible working hours. Lack of control over the nature of the work or workload. Unsafe or unfamiliar working conditions. Negative workplace environment. Lack of coordination among employees or strict authoritarian supervision. Violence. Harassment or bullying. Prejudicial treatment. Unclear job description. Job insecurity. Inadequate pay and lack of advancement opportunities.
More than half of people in developing countries work in the informal economy, where there are no regulations for their health and safety. These workers often work in unsafe environments, work long hours, have little or no access to social or financial protections, and face discrimination. All of these factors contribute to mental health harm.
Although psychological risks can occur in all sectors, some workers are more likely to be affected by them, because the nature of each person’s work and workplace are different. Economic recessions create a number of risks, such as job losses, financial instability, or increased unemployment, which negatively affect mental health.
In addition, another reason for negative impacts on mental health is discrimination and inequality based on factors such as race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, migration or religious differences. People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to be dismissed from work and, when they are employed, they face inequality at work.
It should be noted that unemployment, temporary employment and financial insecurity lead to an increase in mental illnesses such as suicide.
Occupational Environment and Mental Health And Measures to improve mental health
Government, employers, employee representative organizations, other institutions responsible for the health and safety of employees can work together to improve offices, factories and other workplaces through positive measures.
As can help prevent mental health risks in the workplace. Mental health should be promoted in professional settings. Mentally ill employees can be supported. Create a better environment for change. According to the World Health Organization, employers should implement organizational systems that not only improve the working environment, but also reduce mental health risks through it.
For example, implementing flexible working environments or methods to deal with violence and harassment at work.
World Health Organization recommendations For Occupational Environment and Mental Health
Managers should be trained so that they can identify and help solve the problems of employees facing mental distress. Employee training should be provided with information on mental health, so that skills to reduce stress and other mental health symptoms are developed.
Employees with mental illnesses should be supported so that they can fully participate in their work.
Employees with mental health problems have the right to participate fully and fairly in work. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (including Mental Disabilities) provides a guiding principle in this regard. The World Health Organization has made some recommendations to support people living with mental health problems.
For example, employees with mental illnesses should be provided with facilities in the professional environment according to their abilities, needs and preferences. For example, flexibility in working hours, extra time to complete work and changes in the nature of work to reduce stress, etc. In addition, medical care programs should be organized to help employees with mental problems.
Also, the symptoms of mental illness can be reduced. Supported employment measures should be taken to help employees with mental illnesses to work and maintain paid employment. Provide a conducive environment for improvement.
Governments and employers (both), in consultation with key stakeholders, create an enabling environment for positive change.
This will help improve mental health in the workplace. The following steps are essential in this regard. Mental health should be integrated into relevant policies for mental health in the workplace. Funds and resources should be dedicated to improving mental health in the workplace.
Employment laws and regulations should be harmonized with international human rights law and non-discrimination policies at work should be implemented. Mental health should be included in the existing system for occupational safety and health in the workplace in all sectors.
Workers, their representatives and mental health experts should be consulted in decision-making. It should be ensured that all action related to mental health in the workplace is evidence-based. Mental health should be integrated into the responsibilities of national labor, inspectorates and other departments for compliance with laws, regulations and recommendations.