Expert seeks govt attention to employees’ mental health

Two health experts on Monday advised organisations and governments at all levels to pay adequate attention to their employees’ mental health in order to maximise their potentials for better results.

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Dr Adedotun Ajiboye, a clinical psychologist, and a female health specialist, Mrs Olukemi Akinleye, gave the advice while speaking with the Newsmen in Ibadan.

Ajiboye, while describing mental health as a state in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, said its importance cannot be under-estimated.

“It is a state an individual copes with normal life stresses and make positive contributions to the society,” he said.

Ajiboye, who is of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) in Ado-Ekiti, then urged employers and organisations to prioritise the mental health issues of their employees to enhance their productivity.

He identified major influencing factors of mental health as genetics, environment, life experiences, social support, lifestyle choices and medical conditions.

“Employers should watch out for changes in behaviour or mood of employees, decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, physical complaints and social withdrawal as signs of poor mental health in the workplace. So, to promote mental well-being in the workplace, employers should conduct regular mental health audits and assessments, develop a mental health strategy and action plan, provide mental health resources and support, and encourage work-life balance,” the psychologist advised.

Ajiboye pointed out that well-managed mental well-being could reduce absenteeism from work, increase productivity and efficiency, enhance employee engagement and retention and improve creativity and innovations.

On her part, Akinleye frowned at the way people with mental health challenges were stigmatised in the society.

She urged mental health advocates to upscale their interventions to address the trend.

“But there must be in place well-conceived national policies to address all facets of mental disorders, with corresponding support system,” the specialist noted.

NAN/Stella