15% of adults experiencing mental health disorders at workplaces: Lancet study

London: Mental health problems and mental disorders are common in the working population and 15 per cent of adults of working age experience mental health disorders — with depression, anxiety and substance abuse being the most common, according to a significant paper on the workplace as a major determinant of health published in The Lancet.

Workers with mental health disorders are at increased risk of sickness absence, unemployment, permanent exit from employment, and lower lifetime income, which, in turn, can exacerbate mental disorders.

Mental disorders incur substantial costs for workers, employers and the whole of society. Carried by Ireland-based University College Cork (UCC) researchers for the Lancet series on work and health, the paper that came out on Thursday illustrates that major progress in population health can be made by an increased focus on improving people’s work environments.

“Workplaces have huge potential to influence mental health by promoting the positive aspects of work and providing safe, non-discriminatory support for those showing signs of mental health problems,” said Birgit Greiner from UCC School of Public Health.

Greiner and Professor Ella Arensman co-authored the article with academics from universities in Europe, Japan and Australia.

The report outlined recommendations for decision-makers to support healthy and safe work for diverse populations.

“Governments need to ensure that the workplace is an integral part of their mental health strategies. Policymakers at local, national and international levels need to regulate and control working environments — evidence suggests an increased risk of mental health problems and mental disorders in adverse conditions,” says the paper.

Policymakers should also develop and improve policy on mentally healthy work, with a particular focus on the work environments of low-wage or marginalised workers.

They need to develop guidance on how to create and maintain mentally healthy work at all levels of an organisation which includes promoting training programmes.

“Governments should improve support and workplace conditions to enable individuals with mental health problems and disorders to be part of the workforce,” the study stressed.

“Organisations now need to take a second step and augment these programmes with proactive initiatives to improve work organisations and working conditions. This is not just a moral imperative but necessary for employers to meet legal and ethical mandates on psychologically safe work environments,” said professor Arensman.

IANS

Infections due to new Covid strains not severe, we’re monitoring: ICMR-NIV Director

Pune: The JN.1.16 sub lineage of Omicron variant and the XFG (LF.7 and LP.81.2) recombinant variant did not cause much severe Covid infection, said Dr Naveen Kumar, Director ICMR-National Institute...

Covid-19 virus protein triggers immune attack on healthy cells: Study

New Delhi: Amid a fresh wave of Covid-19, Israeli researchers have discovered that a protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus can cause the immune system to attack healthy cells mistakenly. The...

Gujarat records 235 new Covid cases, health officials advise precautions

Ahmedabad: Gujarat has recorded over 1,100 active cases of Covid-19, with 235 reported in the last 24 hours, said officials here on Tuesday, adding that there is no need to...

Five die at govt hospital in Odisha due to ‘medical negligence’, probe ordered

Bhubaneswar: At least five patients died in the government-run Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Odisha's Koraput after being administered "wrong injection". A probe has been ordered...

Covid-19 cases in Gujarat cross 460 mark: Ahmedabad sees fourfold rise in a week

Ahmedabad: Gujarat recorded 64 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 461. Of the 461 active cases, only 20 patients are currently undergoing...

Study shows how plastic particles in food, beverages can harm your liver

New Delhi: Microscopic plastic particles found in food and beverages may affect glucose metabolism and harm organs such as the liver, according to a new animal study. The findings raise...

Covid cases rise in India; govt says monitoring the situation

New Delhi: Amid the latest wave of Covid-19, the number of SARS-CoV2 infections in the country has risen to 2,170. As many as 511 new cases were recorded from the...

Food companies must not use ‘100pc’ claim in labelling and promotions: FSSAI

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a strong advisory to food companies against the use of the term "100 per cent" in food...

Chennai reports Covid-19 fatality as 60-year-old dies at Rajiv Gandhi government hospital

Chennai: A 60-year-old man undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai passed away on Wednesday, marking a Covid-linked fatality in the city after...

Covid cases increasing, but nothing to worry about as infections are not severe: ICMR chief

New Delhi: Covid-19 infections are increasing in India but there is nothing to worry about as these are not severe, Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl...

New global health agreement to take Ayush to world in scientific way: PM Modi

New Delhi: In a big step to take India’s traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Yoga to the global stage, the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO)...

Bengaluru reports first Covid death, 38 active cases in K’taka

Bengaluru: Bengaluru has reported its first Covid-19 death, according to an official statement issued by the Karnataka Health Department. The patient died on Saturday, said the Health Department, adding that...

Read Previous

Google’s AI-powered Search now lets you create images from text

Read Next

Results of IT majors struggling with weak numbers impacting market

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com