‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’: NHRC's Statement on World Mental Health Day
The National Human Rights Commission joins the global community to commemorate World Mental Health Day, which is observed every year on October 10th. This year’s theme: ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’, highlights the importance of creating and fostering workplace environments that are supportive, enabling, respectful and safe for all workers.
Mental health is not merely a health or medical concern, but also a fundamental human right, a matter of human dignity, and social justice. The World Health Organization estimates that one in four people worldwide may experience neurological or mental health disorders at some point in their lives.
The Gambia, like many other countries, continues to grapple with the consequences of mental health related disorders as persons with mental health problems face discrimination, stigmatization, isolation and exclusion in the society. Not much attention and priority are given to mental health in both the public and private sectors. There are limited support services, fewer trained professionals and service providers and weak institutional set-up for handling mental health-related issues.
The only mental health facility ‘Tanka Tanka’, has a capacity to accommodate about 150 inmates. Treatment and recognition of mental health remain an issue of concern in the country given the weak institutional set-up for handling mental health-related issues. There is no health without mental health.
Workplaces are where many individuals spend a significant amount of their lives. Stress and toxic work environment can often lead to mental health challenges such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression. These mental health issues can negatively impact employees professional and personal lives and reduce their performance at work and social interactions. It is imperative, therefore, for all employers to make the workplace environment conducive and safe for the productivity and creativity of the workers increase to the desired level, and most significantly to ensure well-being, dignity and enhanced social inclusion.
The NHRC strongly believes that mentally healthy workplace is not just a matter of compliance but also a human right that every worker should enjoy without discrimination. It is a duty on all, employers and workers, to build a work environment and culture that is resilient, inclusive, conducive and devoid of all forms of harassment, violence, abuse and intimidation.
The NHRC wishes to encourage all employees to take an active role in promoting mental health awareness and creating a safer workplace environment. Employers are also urged to develop and effectively implement workplace mental health policies, ensure their employees have access to confidential counselling services and put in place flexible work arrangements that accommodate mental health needs.
The NHRC calls on the Government, the private sector, Civil Society Organisations and all other relevant stakeholders to prioritise mental health in the workplace and to put in place all measures that would make the workplace conducive and supportive. The NHRC particularly calls on the State as the primary duty bearer to adhere to its commitments under the ICESCR which calls on all member states to make provisions for the highest attainable standard of health as well as safe and healthy working conditions for everyone. A mentally healthy workplace is key to both individual fulfilment and organizational success. Together we can create an environment where every employee feels valued, supported and able to thrive.
Happy World Mental Health Day.
Signed: Emmanuel Daniel Joof
Chairperson
