Africa's mental health crisis: A silent strain on workers

Mental health is frequently neglected in Africa's public health discussions, yet its economic impact is significant. There is an urgent need for businesses to prioritize and address their employees' mental health needs.

Cynthia Kodowu, a human resources expert from Ghana, highlights the critical importance of mental well-being in the workplace. She warns her staff that the relentless pursuit of money should not come at the expense of their health, stating, "If you do exit today, it's not going to be paid to you in the cemetery," Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

This sentiment is reinforced by troubling data from the World Health Organization (WHO), revealing that Africa has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. In 2019, the suicide rate in the African region was 11.2 per 100,000, surpassing the global average of 9 per 100,000. Notably, the male suicide rate in Africa was the highest among all WHO regions at 18 per 100,000.

Seventy-seven per cent of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries, with particularly high rates observed in Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, the Central African Republic, Botswana, Eritrea, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast.

Patience Osekre, a psychotherapist in Accra, points out that workplace mental health is often overlooked, which negatively affects employees' productivity and overall well-being. The WHO's World Mental Health Day 2024 emphasized the harmful effects of poor working conditions and job-related stress on mental health, calling for global efforts to ensure fair treatment and respect for those with mental health issues.

Annually, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost globally due to depression and anxiety, costing around $1 trillion in lost productivity, according to the WHO. Osekre notes that factors such as global uncertainty and burnout are common, significantly impairing employees' judgment and decision-making abilities.

As employees spend a substantial amount of time at work, prioritizing mental health is essential. Osekre underscores the importance of emotional literacy, which allows individuals to recognize and articulate their feelings effectively. She points out a prevalent issue where managers overload their top-performing employees in an attempt to increase productivity, ultimately leading to burnout.

Kodowu also highlights a workplace culture where employees feel pressured to take on additional responsibilities to demonstrate their value, often compromising their mental health. She advocates for businesses to allow employees to take necessary breaks without fearing job loss, as this can lead to increased productivity. Osekre agrees, noting that employees who return from a break are often revitalized and perform better.

By Vafa Guliyeva