Key Points
The theme of World Mental Health Day being observed on Thursday emphasises the importance of "mental health at workplace", as a healthy working environment can act as a protective factor for mental wellbeing, said Saima Wazed, WHO's Regional Director for Southeast Asia...
"Depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year, costing the global economy around USD 1 trillion annually," Wazed said.. Pointing out that work is a significant source of stress, anxiety and pressure for many people, she said, "Yet, because it is a place where we spend most of our time, positive changes at the workplace can bring about a significant change in our lives."..
"In keeping with the roadmap, we recently announced SEARO Care -- our ground-breaking initiative to improve the mental health and wellness of those working at our regional and country offices..
Once formally launched, we hope SEARO Care to become a case study and model for other companies and organisations in our region," Wazed said.. SEARO Care's two main pillars are improving the working environment at all the WHO offices and protecting the mental health of all the employees.. "Improving the working environment encompasses both physical and psychological environments in which our colleagues work," Wazed said...
"I trust that our experiences with SEARO Care will provide the blueprint for companies, institutions and organisations across Southeast Asia to improve the psychological environment of their workplaces, and the mental health of all their staff," she added...
