Rwanda marked the World Mental Health Day on October 10 with a focus fostering mental well-being in workplaces.

Officials at Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) emphasized the need to create supportive, safe, and healthy work environments, as the basics to promoting employees&039; mental health and boosting productivity.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of around 12 billion workdays annually.

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"Mental health challenges not only affect the well-being of employees but also have a significant ripple effect on productivity and the economy at large. Prioritizing mental health in the workplace is essential for both individual fulfillment and the sustainable growth of our economy,” said Dr Jean Damascene Iyamuremye, the Director of Psychiatric Care at RBC.

Work can be a source of stability and mental well-being, he said, but when the environment lacks fairness, recognition, or balance, it becomes a cause of stress and anxiety.

"Employers must create open channels for dialogue, treat workers fairly, and ensure that job demands align with compensation. Only then can we truly say that mental health is being prioritized in the workplace.”

Iyamuremye also said that work should evolve to meet the demands of the modern, technology-driven era.

While technology can streamline processes, it often brings additional tasks. Employers need to ensure that workload is updated accordingly and that employees’ efforts are fairly compensated, he said.

"There are legal obligations employers must fulfill, but when these are overlooked, it leads to dissatisfaction among employees, even if the workload is not necessarily excessive. Some workers receive inadequate pay despite putting in hard work. When a company profits, it should acknowledge and reward these employees accordingly,” said Iyamuremye.

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Dr Augustin Gatera, Senior Public Health Officer at WHO Rwanda, noted that the interconnectedness of work and mental health must not be overlooked.

"A safe and supportive working environment gives people a sense of purpose, stability, and connection, an unhealthy work environment could undermine a person&039;s ability to work and cause severe consequences for individuals and businesses alike,” said Gatera.

"We all face risks to our mental health at work. It is crucial to prevent sources of stress that can lead to mental health challenges, such as discrimination, inequality, poor working conditions, pain, fatigue, and feeling undervalued. Additionally, harassment, bullying, and lack of autonomy can significantly contribute to mental health issues in the workplace.”

Gatera said that governments, workers, employers, and other stakeholders responsible for health and managing psychosocial risks, protecting and promoting mental health at work, and supporting workers with mental health conditions. Creating working environments that improve mental health is essential for individuals and institutions to thrive, he said.

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Common mental health stressors identified among Rwandan employees include unfair pay, long working hours, and lack of job security, according to the National Public Service Commission

Angelina Muganza, Executive Secretary of the National Public Service Commission, pointed out that many workplace conflicts, such as aggression or improper behaviour among employees and workers, may result in unrecognized mental health problems.

"Employers often misinterpret signs of mental health struggles as misconduct, leading to unwarranted punishments or dismissals,” Muganza noted.

"Instead of jumping to conclusions, there should be a shift towards creating an empathetic work environment where employers and disciplinary committees take the time to understand an employee's sudden behavioral changes,” she said.

She advocated for collaboration between institutions like RBC and Ministry of Public Service and Labour as well as mental health professionals, which would offer employees the necessary care before issues escalate into disciplinary actions.

Muganza also urged employers to be more understanding and proactive in addressing potential mental health issues in their staff.