For expats living and working in the Gulf region, their professional lives are central to their daily experience.? Farah Dahabi, a mental health professional, emphasizes the profound impact workplaces have on our overall health, both physical and mental.? Recent studies equate the negative effects of long hours, financial worries, work-life imbalance, and high job demands with the health risks of secondhand smoke.
The Gulf region presents unique challenges for expats.? They often find themselves at the crossroads of Eastern and Western time zones, facing frequent goodbyes to friends and colleagues relocating, and adapting to a rapidly changing legal landscape.? While exciting, this constant flux can heighten the risk of mental health struggles.
The World Health Organization reports a significant rise in mental health issues globally since the pandemic's start.? Depression, the second leading cause of global disability, and suicide, claiming a life every 40 seconds, highlight the urgency of addressing mental wellbeing.
Here's how leading Gulf organizations are fostering a culture of mental health in the workplace:
- Boosting Mental Health Literacy:? Teams equipped to recognize signs of stress in themselves and others are more likely to seek help and reduce stigma.? Mental health literacy programs educate staff on the difference between mental health and mental illness, enabling them to distinguish between temporary lows and more serious conditions.? This includes understanding the nuances of sadness versus depression and worry versus anxiety disorders.? Additionally, such programs connect employees with available support resources within and outside the organization, fostering positive help-seeking attitudes.
- Equipping Teams with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA):? Raising awareness is just one step. MHFA training empowers teams to respond effectively to colleagues experiencing mental health challenges. This internationally recognized program equips staff with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to identify, understand, and support those struggling with depression, anxiety, or addiction.?MHFA also teaches how to respond to mental health crises like suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and the aftermath of trauma.
- Engaged Leadership: Sustainable cultural change hinges on leadership actively championing mental health initiatives.?Disengaged leaders lead to half-hearted efforts that ultimately fail.?Leading organizations prioritize building organizational capacity to address mental health concerns, normalize help-seeking behavior, model empathy towards others, and dedicate time for genuine check-ins with team members.?These check-ins are particularly crucial during challenging times such as medical leave, bereavement, career transitions, or major life milestones.
- Preventing Harm:? All organizations, regardless of their starting point, have a responsibility to "do no harm." This includes avoiding discrimination against employees with mental health issues by mistreating them or refusing reasonable accommodations. Statements like "Only weak people develop depression or anxiety" exemplify harmful attitudes.?Similarly, a lack of psychological safety, where vulnerability is seen as weakness, and a culture of silence around mental wellbeing can also inflict harm.? High absenteeism, presenteeism (being physically present but mentally checked out), staff turnover, conflict, and burnout are all red flags indicating a potentially harmful work environment.
- Striving for Mental Health Parity:?Mental health parity means valuing mental health equally alongside physical health.?A key aspect of parity involves expanding employee benefits to include mental healthcare and sick leave policies that encompass mental illnesses.?Additionally, providing confidential, easily accessible, and culturally appropriate wellness resources is crucial.
Farah Dahabi, Director of Mental Health First Aid and Clinical Social Work at The LightHouse Arabia?
Registered Psychiatric Social Worker - Child and Adolescent Mental Wellbeing Specialist - Parenting Coach - Child Abuse Protection Specialist
6 个月MHFA training will definitely make a transformative impact by equipping employees with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges, organizations can create a more supportive and inclusive work environment. It empowers individuals to provide initial support to colleagues experiencing mental health issues, fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and early intervention. By breaking down stigma and promoting open dialogue, we can create workplaces where mental health is prioritized and everyone feels valued and supported. It is hence vital for organizations to invest in this not just to fulfil a legal or moral obligation, but also to promote employee well-being and productivity.
Owner and Head of Coaching and Training, KSG Wellness Coaching and Training LTD (UK) and FZE LCC (UAE). Improving wellbeing for individuals and organisations, step by step.
6 个月Some great reasons to ensure Mental health understanding is in the tool kit of every organisation. Not only for expats but also locals now we move towards Emiratisation.