World Mental Health Day is an International day celebrated every year on October 10, to spread awareness for mental health education and to eradicate the social stigma associated with mental illness. Its celebration was initiated in 1992, by the World Federation of Mental Health(WFMH). On this day, Mental Health professionals and their supporters spread awareness towards the importance of Mental Health among people.

The official theme for 2024 set by WFMH is “It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace “. According to WFMH, this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign is committed to spreading awareness of mental well-being within the workplace. The aim is to highlight the significance of mental health in a professional setup and advocate a work environment where mental health is prioritized, promoted and protected.

Approximately 60 per cent of the global population falls under the employed category. These employed people spent more time in the workplace rather than any other activities they do during their waking hours. Often, unhealthy work conditions such as harassment, discrimination, low pay, excess workload, and long working hours at the workplace can be detrimental to people’s mental health, thus affecting their work productivity, reducing job satisfaction and overall quality of life. Mental health issues such as depression, and anxiety, sleeplessness are pervading in workplaces globally.

According to WHO, there is approximately a loss of 12 billion workdays each year due to anxiety and depression, which is estimated to cost the global economy US $1 trillion each year. Mental health and the workplace are closely linked, so there is an urgent need to take several actions to promote a workplace that advocates mental well-being.

WHO has issued a detailed guideline to promote mental health in the workplace. Some of the key points mentioned in the guideline are –

1. Training Managers for Mental Health.
2. Training Workers in Mental Health Literacy and Awareness
3. Supporting People with Mental Health Conditions At Work
4. Individual Interventions at Workplace – Psychological and Stress Management Interventions.

A supportive work environment can foster well being of the people, providing them livelihood with stability and the purpose of being happiness. On the other hand, workplace toxicity can negatively impact employees’ Self-confidence, Work productivity, Absence from work and Family Discord & Crisis.

Thus a collaborative effort is needed to foster a practical work-life balance rather than offering lip service.