Employers in both the public and private sectors should prioritize addressing risks that expose employees to mental health challenges, a senior Ministry of Health official has said.

Speaking at the belated World Mental Health Day celebrations held in Kampala on October 25, Dr Hafsa Luswata, Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health, cited inadequate wages, poor working conditions, working without clear employment contracts as being some of the factors that keep employees under stress. or depressive mode.
The day was held under the theme “Prioritize mental health in the workplace”.

“Some of the things that affect employees are working under unknown terms and conditions, poor pay or not being paid an amount commensurate with the work they do. When you have money, pay it well. The cost of living is high. When an employer is not properly paid, it will constantly borrow to meet its requirements. The burden of being in debt all the time eventually affects their mental health and productivity,” explained Dr. Luswata.
According to the 2023 Global State of the Workplace report, Uganda is the second most stressed African country (57 percent) in sub-Saharan Africa, after Chad (58 percent).

The study commissioned by the American analysis and consulting company, Gallup, which sampled 35 African countries, indicated that Tanzania took the third position (56%), while Kenya took the 21st position with 31% of the force of work living in a state of stress.
The report linked the stress to high inflation that was caused by the Covid-19 epidemic.

Dr. Luswata noted that quite a number of Ugandans struggle with psychological distress and depression triggered by various life shocks.
According to the Ministry of Health, it is estimated that one in six Ugandans (16.6 percent) experience depression in their lifetime due to socio-economic and health factors.
In addition, an estimated 14 million Ugandans have mental health problems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Uganda among the top six countries in Africa where its citizens struggle with depressive disorders and 2.9% of the population lives with anxiety disorders.

Dr Juliet Nakku, chief executive of the Butabika National Referral Hospital, said that although there is no hard data on mental health, given its stigmatizing nature, it is estimated that 30% of workers in certain settings, including health, legal and education , face mental health challenges.

“The problems come from management systems and workers who can come to work with problems from home, while shift workers have challenges, especially when they have to work at night when others are sleeping. Work setting that is noisy, dusty, without rest can affect the mental state of a worker,” said Dr Nakku.
She said work environments, excessive workloads and job insecurity should be worked on to ensure a happy and productive workforce.

“Bring in experts to create awareness, set up facilities that promote well-being like rest areas where a worker can go to rest for an hour, exercise, give annual leave. Some people may come to work with an existing mental problem from home, they should be understood and supported on how to solve the problems,” said Dr Nakku.
According to the World Health Organization, decent work supports good mental health, providing a livelihood, a sense of confidence, purpose and achievement, a platform for structured routines.

The global health body states that safe and healthy working conditions are not only a fundamental right, but are also likely to minimize workplace tensions and conflicts and improve staff retention, work performance and productivity.
Dr. Annet Musinguzi, Commissioner, Human Resource Management at the Ministry of Health, said that since people spend half of their lives at work, there must be an enabling environment to have a good quality of life.

Mental health
This is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
It is an integral component of health and well-being that supports our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world in which we live. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial for personal, community and socio-economic development.

Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. It exists on a complex continuum that is experienced differently from person to person, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress, and potentially very different social and clinical outcomes.
World Mental Health Day is celebrated on 10 October every year to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.