How can you help shape the future of workplace mental health?

According to the World Health Organization, work and working conditions of an individual is one of the key social determinants of their mental health. Good working conditions can benefit good mental health, while negative or poor conditions can either contribute to or exacerbate mental health problems.

 

Issues around stigma, presenteeism and stress, alongside societal factors such as discrimination and economic recession, can all have a huge impact on mental health in relation to work, and we know that common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders are estimated to cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year.

 

That’s why the World Health Organization is developing a set of guidelines to provide decision-makers with evidenced-based recommendations for the workplace, focused on the promotion of well-being and the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions.  The guidelines, which are expected to be finalised in late 2021, will help facilitate national and workplace-level policy development, and will help to drive tangible change in the workplace.

 

In order to inform this set of recommendations, the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta are conducting a survey of working people over the age of 19. The survey will capture people’s thoughts and experiences on workplace mental health interventions (services, activities, or programmes), with the aim of better understanding what employees and employers value most.

 

Want to find out more?

 

You can read more about the survey and share your thoughts anonymously before 7th May here.