09 Oct 2024

Botswana will today join the world in commemorating mental health day.

The day will be commemorated under the theme: It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.

A press release from the Ministry of Health says World Health Organisation (WHO) member states, observe the day annually, as an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), in order to raise awareness about mental health and advocacy against social stigma.

“The general public and the work place is encouraged to help prevent mental health problems and illnesses in the workplace by focusing on positivity, combating mental health stigma and by always being each other’s keeper,” states the release.

The release says it is important to be accommodative and inclusive to people struggling with mental health issues. It says by showing such support to people with mental health conditions, it will be help the country to do away with mental health stigma.

Additionally, the release says some of the predisposing factors to mental health challenges includes financial problems, bullying in the workplace and lack of progression.

“These risk factors can affect employees’ mental well-being, quality of life and result in decreased productivity in the work place.

This is a big problem because the working class comprises 60 per cent of the global population.”

The release says most prevalent mental health conditions in the work place include depression, anxiety and substance use disorders.

In an endeavour to sensitise the public about mental health, the Ministry will be conducting sensitisation activities across the country, in collaboration with other stakeholders, according to the release.

This year’s theme aims to enhance protective factors such as safety and healthy working environments. ENDS