Experts underscore employees’ mental health amid rising workplace depression

Health experts have urged employees to protect their mental health, revealing that the country is experiencing a high rate of depression and anxiety, especially in workplaces.

According to reports from Gallup’s statistics on the global workplace in 2023, Nigeria is ranked as the seventh sub-Saharan country with the most stressed employees.

Another report states that 50 per cent of all mental health issues emerge at the age of 14, with workplace stressors contributing to this during adulthood.

The experts also called on government to introduce mental health courses across schools in the country, stressing that a significant number of youths were experiencing mental health crisis due to lack of knowledge on how to navigate through it.

The calls were made at the Wellness Catalyst Workshop organised by Mytherapist.ng over the weekend at Vabranium Valley in Ikeja. The event brought together young Nigerians, mental health professionals, advocates, and workplace leaders to address the mental health crisis with a fresh and collaborative approach.

The co-founder and lead therapist at Mytherapist.ng, Dedoyin Ajayi, noted that the workshop was aimed at empowering individuals and communities to prioritise mental wellness as a critical aspect of their overall health.

Ajayi said: “The idea behind this workshop was to create a system where conversations around mental health in the workplace were prioritised. We saw that there was a huge gap in these conversations, and we decided to bridge it.

“People struggle and grapple with working in toxic environments, which reduces their productivity. When you are not productive at work, or when your mind is not in the right place, then something needs to be done.”

Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Intense Group, Bukonla Adebakin, who spoke on the topic, “Breaking the Stigma: The Role of Organisations in Normalising Mental Health Conversations and Care,” encouraged companies to implement policies that promote staff well-being.

According to her, organisations have critical roles to play in normalising mental healthcare and promoting open and supportive environments.Adebakin said: “Mental health issues affect individuals in all spheres of life, namely work, education, home, and community, and yet, stigma and fear of judgment often prevent people from seeking the help they need.

“The mental health of employees directly impacts organisational productivity, engagement, and overall well-being. We must ensure to create supportive, stigma-free environments and lead strategic conversations on mental health with our employees.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BlackMoh Consulting, Mohammed Ahmed, who spoke during a panel session, stressed that to thrive under pressure in the workplace, employees must build resilience and cultivate daily habits that would promote it in the long run. He said: “To succeed in our workplace, we must ensure to set boundaries, learn how to cope positively, and also bounce back from every challenge we face.

“We must also ensure to adequately build our level of self-efficacy, have a positive mindset towards our job, and possess the willpower to deliver effectively.”