Practical methods highlighted in a joint WHO/ILO policy brief strengthen new global WHO recommendations on mental health at work. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have advocated for real action to address mental health issues among workers. Depression and anxiety are expected to cost the global economy approximately $1 trillion in lost workdays yearly. Two new reports targeting this topic were released last week: the WHO Guidelines on Mental Health at Work and a related WHO/ILO policy brief.
The World Health Organization's worldwide recommendations on mental health at work propose activities to address mental health concerns such as excessive workloads, undesirable behaviors, and other factors contributing to work misery. For the first time, WHO offers management training to assist managers in preventing hazardous work conditions and responding to distressed employees.
According to the World Health Organization's World Mental Health Report, issued in June 2022, 15% of working-age individuals reported a mental condition in 2019. Working exacerbates broader socioeconomic concerns that harm mental health, such as prejudice and inequality. Intimidation and psychological violence (often referred to as "mobbing") are major workplace discrimination allegations that severely influence mental health. However, acknowledging or reporting mental health remains taboo in workplaces worldwide.
The guidelines also advocate improved methods to meet the requirements of employees with mental health disorders; provide strategies that encourage a return to work, and give treatments that facilitate entrance into paid employment for individuals who suffer from severe health conditions. Crucially, the recommendations encourage efforts to safeguard health, humanitarian, and emergency personnel.
"It's time to focus on the negative impact work has on our mental health," said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. "Individual well-being is motivation enough to act, but poor mental health might have a crippling effect on a person's effectiveness and productivity." These new requirements can help avoid harmful workplace environments and attitudes while still offering workers much-needed mental health assistance and protection.
A companion WHO/ILO policy brief outlines the WHO principles in terms of concrete measures for authorities, businesses, and laborers and the organizations that represent them in both public and private industries. The objective is to encourage mental health risk reduction, safeguard and foster mental health at work, and facilitate people with mental health disorders functioning and succeeding in the workplace. The strategies' execution will be dependent on investment and leadership.
"Although individuals spend a substantial portion of their lives at work, a secure and healthy environment is vital. Businesses should invest in developing a preventative culture around mental health at work, redesigning the workplace to eradicate prejudice and societal isolation, and working with colleagues with mental health disorders to feel protected and supported." Guy Ryder, Director-General of the ILO.
The International Labour Organization's Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155) and Recommendation (No. 164) establish a legislative structure to safeguard employees' health and safety. Nevertheless, according to the WHO Mental Health Atlas, only 35% of nations reported experiencing federal programs for work-related mental health education, promotion, and prevention.
COVID-19 generated a 25% spike in anxiety symptoms and hopelessness worldwide, demonstrating how governments were inadequate in preparing for its impact on psychological well-being and highlighting a chronic global deficit in mental health support. Governments across the globe invested an average of 2% of their healthcare expenditure on psychological health in 2020, with economically developing countries devoting less than 1%.
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