The WHO tells the world workplace mental health matters

From an ‘HR issue’ to a human right – the World Health Organisation is changing the world of work.

Today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced global guidelines for mental health at work.

This is a historic milestone for workers, worldwide.

Let’s breakdown what they’ve announced and why it’s so important:

From ‘HR issue’ to human right

The WHO’s new guidelines confirm that caring for our mental health goes far beyond the remit of HR and People team – it's a human and economic need.

Health and safety regulations have protected our physical health for decades. For too long, we've worked without globally applicable, evidence-based guidelines to support, protect and promote mental health at work.

But now, the world is finally catching up; and these guidelines lay down many of the key points that HR leaders and the workplace community have long been campaigning for:

Take action to prevent work-related mental health conditions

 
“It’s time to focus on the detrimental effect work can have on our mental health”

– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

The WHO guidleines leave no space for doubt: workplaces must identify and tackle risks to mental health.

Those risks include heavy workloads, negative or stigmatising behaviours, and other factors that create emotional distress at work.

Similarly, interventions and mental health support systems need to be assessed and dependable for employers and employees alike. The WHO calls for organisations to make sure this support is comprehensive, evidence-based and built into their existing occupational safety and health (OSH) management systems.  

Beyond this, there’s a drive to build working cultures that not only prevent psychosocial risks, but actively improve employee mental health, empowering them to thrive.
That means addressing the environment using organisational interventions to reshape work conditions, strengthening culture, management and relationships.

Train managers to support people

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Managers interact with more staff on a given day than any head of HR or CEO – creating a safe culture starts with them.

 For the first time, the WHO recommends manager training to strengthen their knowledge, attitudes and behaviours for mental health – knowing how and when to direct employees to support, and recognise when they need it.

But, if we want to build cultures where employees thrive, then ‘safety’ is the bare minimum: these guidelines go further to call for manager training that promotes positive mental health, rather than just mitigating problems.

Why? Because a mental first aid box is not enough.

Building a generation of modern managers needs evolving, continuous training that goes beyond ‘first aid’ style intervention – so managers know how to actively listen, signpost and set healthy examples to be better leaders.

Support those with mental health conditions to thrive

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Between 15-20% of the working-age population are living with a mental health condition, some of which will be experiencing complex and acute challenges.

But the staggering majority of these people can lead purposeful and fulfilling working lives – just as long as they’re given the opportunities, support and confidence from employers.

Of course, this will have a massively positive impact on the economy (and we really need that right now), but more importantly, it’ll benefit the wellbeing of people who are too often sidelined as a result of societal failings. 

These guidelines are the evidence-based sunlight that’ll help disinfect the workplace of stigma.

So we’re celebrating. 

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“These guidelines are such good news. It is shining the spotlight on how we should be thinking about mental health at work. It isn’t just about individual support, although this is crucial, it’s also about tackling the environment and culture that people are working within.”

– Dr Kate Daley, Head of Psychology 

Everyone has the right to a healthy mind – and this is a historic breakthrough in ensuring that happens.