MENTAL HEALTH

The Kathmandu Post

7 May 2017

MENTAL HEALTH

This was an interesting article about being affected with mental illness either in the work place or among those who are without work (“Work revolution is making us mentally ill” May 3, Page 7. Work not only gives us an income, but also a purpose. Unemployment increases the likelihood of depression and anxiety, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrist, London. Its report further says that in the rust-belt states of the US, high rates unemployment, economic decline and social stagnation have led to sharp rising death rates due to drugs, alcohol and suicide. However, there are also reports that the work environment can cause stress and anxiety gradually leading to depression and frustration that ultimately ends up in mental illness.

More than six out of 10 of the UK’s working population report sleep-related problems due to stress to such an extent that it affects their work the next day. To minimize this problem, organizations should establish a healthier work environment by avoiding a culture of overwork, employing sufficient staff for the tasks and aiming for a life-work balance. Hours and pay need to be transparent and fair; job insecurity should be minimised. The staff members should be encouraged to express their feelings so as to ascertain their satisfaction, dissatisfaction and frustration. This could allow necessary steps to ensure their mental wellbeing.

I am not aware of any such organization in Nepal that has shown deep interest in looking after the mental health of its staff. It was encouraging to learn that the Ministry of Health (MoH) recently drafted a mental health policy indicating that mental health is one of its prime issues to tackle. Setting up a division in the MoH to look after the mental health programme, employing trained psychiatrists in district hospitals and allocating the necessary budget in the government’s annual plan are some of the encouraging elements of the new mental health policy.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj

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