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Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness. It encompasses overall well-being that allows individuals to work effectively, manage stress, and contribute to their communities. Workplace stressors, such as excessive workload, bullying, and harassment can significantly harm mental health. This is especially true in high-pressure fields like healthcare, where long hours and emotional strain increase the risk of burnout.

Globally, depression affects 264m people. It’s one of the leading causes of disability. Depression and anxiety disorders together cost the global economy approximately $1trn annually in lost productivity. In demanding professions like healthcare, workplace stressors exacerbate these challenges, negatively impacting those responsible for caring for others.

In one of the studies from Nepal, it was found that the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted significant mental health challenges in the workplace. The same study found that 86 percent of respondents reported moderate stress levels, and 5.2 percent experienced high stress. Additionally, 24.6 percent of participants screened positive for anxiety, while 33.3 percent showed signs of depression. Poor sleep affected 17.5 percent of individuals, and 15.8 percent noted a decrease in their work efficiency.

These findings point to a critical need for regular stress management programs in the workplace.

The stress and mental health issues faced by corporate employees underscore the importance of addressing workplace conditions. A toxic work environment can lead to physical and mental health problems, substance abuse, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), promoting mental health in the workplace and providing support to employees can reduce absenteeism, boost productivity, and contribute to economic benefits.

Excessive workloads, long hours, and administrative burdens often leave professionals, particularly doctors, with little time to rest and recover. This ongoing pressure can lead to burnout, diminished job satisfaction, and an increased risk of mistakes. Similarly, toxic workplace behaviors, such as bullying and harassment, contribute significantly to poor mental health. These issues, often unaddressed, can lead to anxiety, depression, and even cause professionals to leave their jobs. This not only affects individual well-being but also disrupts team dynamics and reduces the quality of work.

On the other hand, maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life is essential for well-being but is particularly challenging in demanding careers. Professionals often struggle to find time for rest, family, or hobbies, which further contributes to stress and burnout. However, achieving a balance is possible through regular exercise, meditation, and setting clear boundaries between work and personal time.

Maintaining mental health, especially in high-stress industries, requires both individual and organizational efforts. Prioritizing mental health by taking regular breaks, engaging in hobbies, and seeking therapy when necessary can help prevent burnout. Professionals must learn to set boundaries to avoid overwork, such as turning off work emails after hours or taking vacations. Organizations should create environments where employees feel safe discussing mental health without fear of judgment. Access to mental health resources, flexible work hours, and peer support networks are crucial for maintaining a healthy work environment.

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2024 is ‘It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’. This theme emphasizes the urgent need for businesses, governments, and individuals to take action to improve mental well-being in professional settings. With over 60 percent of the global population engaged in employment, the workplace has a significant impact on mental health, both positively and negatively.

This year’s campaign focuses on fostering supportive, stigma-free environments where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health. Mental health in the workplace is a crucial factor for maintaining a productive and engaged workforce. By addressing stress, bullying, and promoting a healthy work-life balance, organizations and employees can work together to create a supportive environment that fosters well-being and success.

The author is a psychiatrist

Different parts of Nepal have experienced devastating floods and landslides triggered by monsoon rains in the past few months. Floods and landslides in the past few days have claimed many lives across the country, including in the Kathmandu Valley and the vicinity, displaced thousands of citizens and destroyed property/infrastructure worth billions of rupees like roads, complicating rescue efforts. The valley, a symbol of culture and natural beauty, now serves as a reminder of Nepal’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Nepal’s geography, home to the world’s highest peaks, also makes it prone to natural disasters such as floods and landslides. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, Nepal is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Around 80 percent of Nepal’s population is at risk of climate-induced hazards, as factors like melting glaciers and poor land management exacerbate these calamities. While the physical destruction is visible, the emotional and mental toll often goes unnoticed.

A mental health crisis

The human cost of disasters like the recent floods and landslides goes beyond the immediate loss of life and property. As survivors grapple with the destruction of their homes, the deaths of loved ones and displacement, many experience severe emotional and psychological distress. Grief, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are some of the mental health challenges that emerge in the aftermath of such disasters.

Impact on mental health

The short-term consequences of the ongoing disaster are evident—loss of life, destruction of homes, and thousands of displaced families. But as the immediate shock subsides, the long-term effects, especially on mental health, begin to surface. Individuals who endure repeated trauma from these disasters are at higher risk of chronic anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Without adequate support, the trauma can result in lifelong emotional damage.

The absence of a comprehensive mental health policy in Nepal exacerbates the problem. Despite a growing mental health crisis, access to professional therapy and support is scarce, particularly in rural areas. Nepal faces a shortage of trained mental health professionals, and stigma around seeking psychological help remains prevalent.

Responding to the crisis

Amid the ongoing disaster response, mental health support must be given due priority. Mental health workers have been working at displaced sites, offering psychological first aid, group counseling sessions and therapies like trauma-focused therapy to help survivors cope with the crisis. Therapists are using techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and individual therapy, which are useful in addressing their specific needs.

However, with limited resources, these efforts fall short of reaching everyone in need. The government, NGOs and international organizations must work together to integrate mental health services into disaster response programs. Public awareness campaigns are essential to challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage those affected to seek help.

Building resilience

While Nepal continues to contend with the ongoing floods and landslides, the country must also prepare for future disasters. Strengthening infrastructure, improving early warning systems and promoting sustainable land management are crucial steps toward reducing the impact of natural disasters. But equally important is addressing the mental health toll that these events leave in their wake.

To help the Nepali community heal both physically and mentally, it is crucial to encourage open dialogue about mental health and ensure access to necessary resources. Early intervention, community support and trauma-focused care can pave the way toward recovery and resilience.

The author is a psychiatrist