In a perfect world, the workplace is a setting where employees not only make a living but also get along well with their fellow staff and thrive in their jobs. But we don’t live in a perfect world.
In fact, some workplaces can be quite challenging to navigate and can become sources of anxiety and different kinds of stress. Such workplaces are ill-equipped to handle mental health issues faced by employees.
In our conversations with professionals who have sought depression, stress and anxiety treatment without medication from our brain training institute in Dubai, we see a persistent theme: The heavy workloads, the expectation of perfection and the need to hit KPIs consistently are causing mental anguish, recurring headaches, and an inability to focus, eat, and sleep among employees.
Therefore, we’re gratified to learn that the theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.”
By shining a light on the plight of employees battling mental health issues and the need for concrete workplace measures and policies to ensure employees suffering from mental disorders are not discriminated against, treated unfairly or stripped of their rights and dignity.
World Mental Health Day 2024 will be observed concurrently around the globe on October 10, 2024. This tradition started on October 10, 1992, and it has been commemorated on that date every year since.
Every World Mental Health Day (and month), private and public organizations, governments and individuals organize mental health-focused events and activities around the year’s particular theme. The active and widespread interest and participation of various groups worldwide vastly expand and amplify the impact of the World Mental Health Day advocacy.
3 Essential Insights
- The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.”
- Mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, and burnout, are prevalent in the workplace, significantly impacting employee productivity and well-being.
- Prioritizing mental health benefits and policies in the workplace is crucial for fostering a healthier, more productive workforce.
Why Mental Health in the Workplace Matters
The World Health Organization says more than half of the world’s population work, and 15% of working-age adults suffer from a mental condition. To put that in perspective, with a global population of 8.2 billion, it means at least 600 million working adults are living with depression, general anxiety disorder, or some other mental health condition.
Employees in the Middle East are no exception. McKinsey Health Institute conducted a survey of more than 4,000 employees in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to their report, two out of three respondents self-reported one or more symptoms of poor mental health and well-being (symptoms of distress, anxiety, burnout, and depression) or actually had a diagnosis of a mental disorder.
Additionally, at least one in every three respondents had burnout symptoms. Burnout is characterized by extreme tiredness, diminished cognitive and emotional regulation abilities, and mental distancing.
The considerable prevalence of mental disorders in working-age adults is alarming.
First, it says many people suffer from mental disturbances that cause them to have a reduced ability to interact with others and function in their circles. Second — and more specific to the workplace — there’s consistent evidence from various studies to indicate that poor mental health correlates with lost productivity, either through absenteeism or impaired function when present (i.e., presenteeism).
Employees who have poor mental health are less productive. They may not be confident about their competence, or their condition may render them unable to complete their tasks. They may be physically incapable of coming to work or keeping their jobs.
Naturally, this has consequences, not only for the employees involved but for their families, colleagues, company, and community. According to WHO, anxiety and depression cost the world one trillion dollars every year, and this loss is primarily due to diminished productivity.
The UAE Mental Health Law: Toward a Better Mental Health in the Workplace
The UAE Federal Mental Health Law — i.e., Federal Law No. (10) of 2023 On Mental Health — took effect on May 30, 2024.
This law couldn’t have been better timed for and aligned with World Mental Health Day 2024 as it expands the protection of employees suffering from mental disorders and, ultimately, shines a light on the employers’ responsibility to ensure the mental health and well-being of their employees.
The new mental health law in the UAE is a step in the right direction as it affords employees suffering from mental disorders specific rights and protections. Article 9, paragraph 5, states that employees have the right to be protected from being restricted on their work or employment due to their psychiatric disorder.
The same provision also makes it illegal for an employer to terminate a worker’s employment due to their mental health condition unless such termination is indicated by the report of a specialized medical committee and is in accordance with relevant existing legislation. Moreover, paragraph 9 of Article 9 safeguards the confidentiality of their information.
Note that legal protection extends only to psychiatric patients, which the law defines as persons diagnosed with a mental disorder. If you or someone you know is living with a mental health condition, get a diagnosis. Not only will that afford better protection under the law, but it will also open doors to options for anxiety, depression, or stress management in Dubai.
Despite the above, the mental health law may still deter employers from unfairly restricting or terminating the employment of employees diagnosed with mental health conditions. At the very least, employers may be motivated to develop protocols and procedures that integrate mental health in performance evaluations.
The awareness the law engenders may encourage business organizations to provide employees with mental health preventive care and wellness screening. Companies may conduct brain training workshops regularly and incorporate stress, anxiety, and depression treatment in Dubai into their medical insurance benefits.
World Mental Health Day 2024: Mental Health Matters in the Workplace
Stressed, anxious, distressed, and burnt-out employees don’t function at their best, so their productivity suffers. It is, therefore, in an employer’s best interest to care for their employees’ mental well-being, especially now that the UAE mental health law protects the rights of employees with mental health conditions.
This October 10, let us join the world in commemorating World Mental Health Day 2024, impressing on employers and employees alike the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace.
With one voice, let us call for mental health benefits and more profound changes in workplace mental health policies.
Evolve Brain Training is an award-winning neurofeedback therapy institute in the UAE.
Come to us for clinically proven, non-invasive techniques for stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia treatment in Dubai.
Book a consultation now to learn how we can help you attain better mental health.
Dr. Upasana Gala is the founder and CEO of Evolve Brain Training, a Neurofeedback-centered institute that focuses on using non-invasive brain training techniques to maximize the brain’s true potential.