'Prioritising employees' mental health can boost productivity'

Happy and healthy minds can ensure a greater output and productivity at a workplace. The statement was made at an event organised by the Pakistan Association for Mental Health (PAMH) to commemorate World Mental Health Day at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday.

The event started with the inauguration of pharmaceutical stalls by rights activist Anis Haroon and PAMH President Dr Syed Ali Wasif, The News reported.

The theme for the year announced by the World Federation for Mental Health is titled, 'It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace'.

The PAMH was established in 1965 and has been organising awareness programmes and operating free mental health clinics under the patronage of Prof Syed Haroon Ahmed.

During the session, PAMH General Secretary Dr Ajmal Mughal presented an annual report. Dr Wasif delivered the keynote speech, in which he talked about the population suffering from illiteracy, a scorching inflation rate of 19.87%, and 8.5% unemployment, all of which were increasing mental health issues.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the global economy suffers an annual loss of approximately US $1 trillion in productivity due to depression and anxiety alone.

Dr Wasif pointed out that currently, around 21.5% of the Pakistani population lived below the poverty line. Food insecurity, unemployment and job insecurity had reduced the quality of life, leading to frustration and hopelessness, he stated, adding that nearly 37% of Pakistan's population faced food insecurity.

The anxiety of not knowing where the next meal would come from left devastating effects on people's mental health, the PAMH president remarked.

He said a study revealed that 61% of people experienced anxiety, 55% suffered from depression, and 25% had suicidal ideation.

He said Pakistan's traditional workplace culture often emphasised productivity and efficiency at the expense of employees' mental well-being, leading to stress, burnout, and decreased overall performance. “We can enhance employee satisfaction, reduce turnover and boost productivity,” he said.

A documentary titled 'Unseen' produced by Uzair Surhio was also screened, which projected the callous attitude of our dogmatic society. Anis talked at length about the violation of human rights abuse and sexual harassment at the workplace and expressed concern over the Sexual Harassment Act 2010 and its amendments.

On average, she said, one in three women faced sexual harassment at work compared to one in six men.

Sadly, 52% of women experienced verbal and 19% physical abuse, she said, adding that it was the time for Pakistan to break the stigma surrounding mental health and implement comprehensive workplace mental health programmes.

Public education programs should aim to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues, sexual harassment and related issues, and encourage the individuals to seek help from different available bodies, she remarked.

Later, a panel discussion and question-and-answer session took place. At the end of the programme, a vote of thanks was given by the PAMH Joint Secretary Nasir Masood Butt.

Dr Ajmal Mughal, Advocate Shazia Nizamani, Dr Sirajuddin, Dr Rubina Kidwai, Dr Shifa Naeem, Brigadier Shoaib Ahmed and Dr Chuni Lal participated in the panel discussion that endorsed integrating mental health services into primary health care to help address the mental health issues at the grassroots level.