The Role of Human Resources In Mental Health Awareness Creation In the Workplace

THE ROLE OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS CREATION IN THE WORKPLACE

The World Health Organisation(WHO) conceptualises mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realises his/her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his/her community. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

In recent times, there has been an increasing cognizance of the importance of the role mental health plays in individuals, organisations and in a nation as a whole.

Depression is one of the leading causes of this disability. Depression if not treated, can lead to suicidal thoughts in the affected persons. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) depression causes an estimated 200 million lost workdays each year at the cost of $17 billion to employers. Half of the employees with depression are untreated. Depression and Insomnia are major psychiatric conditions predicted by occupational stress. However, the influence of occupational stress on these 2 conditions is underexplored in Telecommunication companies especially in Africa. Additionally, mental health problems contribute to 35% to 45% of absenteeism in many advanced countries (WHO).

Occupational strain resulting from exposure to stressors at the workplace can affect an employee’s mental and psychological health. Depression, the leading cause of disability and the main indication of psychiatric conditions, as well as insomnia are major psychological disorders reported to be significantly associated with occupational stress. High levels of occupational stress do not only predict insomnia but also it’s reoccurrence.

INITIATIVES BY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION TO CURB MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN WORKPLACES

Organisational Psychologist

?The human resources department in organisations in consultation with the Ghana Health Services, Ghana Psychological Council, World Health Organisation(Ghana)can seek ?the assistance of Psychologists who can work from their workplaces for 2 -3 days per week to address employee mental health issues.It is important to ensure absolute confidentiality of information during these sessions. This initiative, will promote healthy behaviour, increasing mental health issues and increase employee engagement in the organisation, preventing diseases and improving patient’s quality of life. This will invariably increase productivity and employee engagement. MTN Ghana has for instance an in-house occupational therapist to aid their employees. This is a clarion call for other organisations to emulate.

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Day Care in the Workplace

To curb a high prevalence of post-partum depression in working mothers in organisations, HR can establish a day care to support nursing mothers after their resumption from maternity leave to aid a smooth transition to work. The workplace day care will be an important benefit for many female employees allowing them to spend more time with their children during the workday, which leads to higher productivity, reduces stress, and creates a culture of inclusiveness, emotional security and deepens trust and loyalty. In reference to the Labour Act 651, section 57 clauses 6 and 7, it spells out that. “A nursing mother is entitled to interrupt her work for an hour during her working hours to nurse her baby. Interruptions of work by a nursing mother for the purpose of nursing her baby shall be treated as working hours and paid for accordingly”. Few organisations like MTN Ghana, Access Bank have implemented this initiative. The growing interest to extend the maternity leave days from 3 months to 6 months in the country has seen many people arguing for or against the motion. Amid all this attention since Parliament is yet to pass an act on this, day care or crèche initiative will eradicate this challenge.

?Awareness Creation of Mental Health in Organisations

Mental Health education initiatives by Human Resource department in organisations provide informative awareness and resources to tackle mental health issues. There is stigmatisation around the discussion of mental health issues in organisations, thus a sensitisation of and awareness creation programmes will reduce stigma, rejection, lead to higher retention of employees, positive employee morale, higher quality work and higher levels of satisfaction in employees.

Health and Safety

Human Resources department must institute health and safety policies in organizations, to protect their employees, reduce absenteeism and ensuring that, the workplace is more efficient and productive. Research shows that workers are more productive in workplaces that are committed to health and safety practices in workplaces.Programmes such as health talks, walks and subscription to gym facilities for employees as an employee benefit goes a long way to reduce cardiovascular diseases in employees as well mental health issues among many others.

Flexible Working

According to a study by PGi, 82% of surveyed remote workers related to the possibility of more flexible work arrangements with lower stress levels. This comes from the fact that having control over the way we work, increases job satisfaction and slows down the burnout. Mental health and work are intertwined. Work can cause and exacerbate mental health issues, but it can also act as a support mechanism. The impact that flexible working can have is so important that 97% of people recommend that having a more flexible job would have a positive impact on their quality of life. Human Resource department can have strategies for implementing flexible working hours for their employees by accessing their work mechanisms and adopting a flexible working system to aid their productivity.

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World Health Organisation (WHO) Initiative in Ghana

Corporate organisations in Ghana can rally behind WHO’s initiative on increased investment required on all fronts. In order for mental health awareness to deepen understanding, and reduce stigmatisation of efforts to increase access to quality mental health care and effective treatments and for research for identification of new treatments and improve existing treatments for all mental disorders. In 2019, WHO launched the WHO special initiative for mental health (2019 -2023).Universal Health Coverage for mental health to ensure access to quality and affordable care for mental health conditions in 12 prioritised countries to 100 million more people. This will ensure a unified front in the fight against mental health issues in Ghana.

Mental health disorders are common in the workplace, thus employers should prioritise employee’s mental health issues. Furthermore, to increasing productivity, team cohesion, and a positive work environment, putting employee’s mental health first can also help to improve a safety organisational culture.

How are organisations in Ghana positioned to improve upon the mental health of their employees?

Writer –Nana Akoeley Annan, HR Professional

References

World Health Organization Ghana (https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_1)

BMC Public Health (https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-08744-z)

Ed-consults.com