Message from Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
“Prioritizing mental health in the workplace”
Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
Worldwide, around one in eight people have a mental disorder. No community or association is exempt. Suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people and millions continue to suffer in silence.
This year, the World Mental Health Day directed in mental health in the workplace. Sixty percent of people over the age of fifteen work, spending most of their time in the workplace. These spaces are much more than where we do our work. Safe, healthy workplaces can provide a sense of purpose, connection and stability, while oppressive or chaotic work environments can have a significant impact on the mental health of those who work there.
Since the Pandemic covid-19 As we usher in a new era of telecommunications, the boundaries between home and work are becoming increasingly blurred, creating even greater challenges to protect workers’ mental health.
Work is important to well-being, but well-being is also important to work. When employers address their employees’ mental health risks, they boost morale, reduce absenteeism and increase employee engagement and productivity, strengthening their businesses and our economies.
Everyone, inside and outside the workplace, needs to have the knowledge and resources to make mental health a priority, as well as access quality mental health services without stigma or barriers.
This one World Mental Health Day, but also every day, let’s remember that there is no health without mental health. Let’s commit to creating and maintaining safe, healthy work environments where people can thrive.
