Longtong Yakubu, Kano
A consultant Psychiatrist and senior lecturer from the department of psychiatry Bayero University, Kano(BUK), Dr. Desola Owolabi, has tasked Nigerians on the need for maintaining a balance mental health at the workplace, saying, it enhances work performance and improved productivity in an organization.
Dr. Owolabi disclosed this during a symposium to mark the world mental health day organized by Positive Pathways Initiative (PPI) with support from the Centre for Sustainable Development Research and Peace building (CSDRP) in Kano.
She explained that, the workplace is where most people spend a significant amount of their time aside their homes, noting that, most times they are being face with stress, anxiety, and tension which lead to psychological breakdowns.
“This factors such as stress result from overwhelming workload, tight deadlines, and high expectations from an employer; global recession including economic uncertainty and job insecurity; and poor working conditions, among others, negatively impact mental health.
“To overcome this challenge, there is a need to foster open conversations with employees to create a socially supportive environment, prioritize work-life balance, encourage mental health days, create time for leisure as well as provide training on mental health to recognize red flags and support employees for increased job satisfaction and overall well-being”
In her remarks, PPI’s Executive director, Ruqayya Tofa, described the theme, ‘prioritizing mental health in the workplace as timely, saying it is important for employers to provide the enabling environment for workers to thrive for optimal performance.
She further stressed the importance of maintaining a good working relationship between employees and employers while also creating time to rest.
Speaking also, a counsellor from the Department of Guidance and Counseling, BUK, Ahmad Rabiu, noted that mental health issues lead to mental health disorders, which could sometimes lead to substance abuse.
He said some mental health issues can be addressed through the assistance of a counsellor without necessarily going to the hospital.