The Mental Health Alliance (MHA) has called on employers, particularly the government, to take meaningful steps to prioritize mental health within the workplace.
The “Investment Case Ghana Somubi Dwumadie,” a four-year disability inclusion initiative backed by the Mental Health Authority, reveals that Ghana loses nearly 7% of its GDP due to psychological distress, significantly higher than the 4% GDP loss attributed to malaria.
In a statement marking World Mental Health Day, shared with the Ghana News Agency, the MHA urged employers to establish strong support systems, ensuring employees have access to mental health resources like Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and counselling services. These resources, the MHA noted, must be clearly communicated and easily accessible.
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace,” underscores the essential role mental health plays in employee well-being and organizational productivity. With 60% of the global population employed, and employees spending a significant portion of their time at work, workplace mental health is critical.
The MHA called on employers to encourage open conversations around mental health by creating environments where employees feel safe discussing their concerns without fear of being judged or stigmatized.
The statement also recommended that team leaders and managers be trained to recognize signs of mental distress and effectively support their teams. Training should focus on fostering empathetic communication and building a culture of inclusivity and support.
Additionally, the MHA highlighted the need for organizations to promote a healthy work-life balance through measures like flexible work hours, remote work options, mandatory leave, recreational activities, and regular breaks.
Prioritizing mental health, the MHA stressed, is not solely the responsibility of HR departments. It requires active commitment from all levels of an organization.
As efforts to improve mental health awareness grow, the MHA emphasized that fostering a supportive workplace culture benefits everyone, employees, employers, and society as a whole.
World Mental Health Day, celebrated annually on October 10th, aims to raise awareness about mental health and its importance in personal and societal well-being.
