Tasneem Hossain – Article: Destigmatisation of mental health concerns at work and life
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BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF TASNEEM HOSSAIN
Tasneem Hossain is a multilingual poet, columnist, op-ed and fiction writer, educator translator and training consultant from Bangladesh. She is the Director of Continuing Education Centre, Bangladesh.
As an op-ed writer, she has authored over 135 articles. Several of her articles and poems are utilised as teaching material in universities and academies across various countries; some have been referenced in university research papers.
She is an author of three poetry collections—Grass in Green, The Pearl Necklace, and Floating
Feather and a book of articles ‘Split and Splice’, she also leads an international poetry project and group called Life in Lyrics.
Her powerful writings are regularly featured in esteemed publications around the globe. A
number of her poems have been translated into seven languages and published in literary journals across 29 countries. She has also been interviewed on various literary platforms in recognition of her contributions to world literature.
She served as a faculty member of Business English at Chittagong University of Engineering and
Technology. Currently, she is the director of the prominent human resource development
organisation, Continuing Education Centre (Bangladesh), and Cansaz Services and Distribution
LLC (Canada). With 27 years of experience, she is a highly regarded Business English language
and Communication Management trainer.
She actively participates in sports whenever the opportunity arises. For 10 years, she worked as a newscaster, commentary reader, and radio presenter for Radio Bangladesh.
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DESTIGMATISATION OF MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS AT WORK AND LIFE
‘Mental health is a part of our overall health. And, like physical illness, mental illnesses are not a choice or a personal flaw but medical conditions that require care’ - Cari Dwyer, director, Exhibit Project Management, Minnesota Science Center and Project
The global burden of mental health conditions is immense: more than 1 billion people are living with mental, neurological and substance use disorders -WHO
Mental health is the state of mental well-being that helps people to cope with the stresses of life. People who are exposed to unfavourable conditions like poverty, domestic violence, abuse, disability, bullying, acute loss or rejection, persistent physical illness or stress, displacement and inequality, unemployment, being a long-term caregiver, drug and alcohol misuse or being the victim of war are more likely to be affected. An unsupportive family background and poor coping skills can create feelings of hopelessness, stress, self-doubt; and the pressure to succeed can all lead to anxiety disorders.
We, sometimes, refer to the condition as mental illness. It’s a condition that impacts a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions greatly affect the normal lifestyle and create difficulties in almost all spheres of life.
According to the World Health Organisation, one in every eight people worldwide has a mental disorder. Alarmingly, each year, mental illness affects millions of people. In 2021 alone, 22.8 percent of U.S. adults experienced mental illness.
Mental health disorders may be infrequent or persistent, affecting an individual’s overall day to day function and behaviour pattern. Some of the mental disorders are easily treatable; some are more serious and need professional help and a comprehensive plan for treatment is necessary. It may be temporary or long term.
The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), a global mental health organisation, initiated the first World Mental Health Day in 1992. They have members and contacts in more than 150 countries. The day was established to create awareness of mental health issues, enhance mental health support, advocate against social stigma. and to mobilise effective actions to help support global mental well-being.
This day is observed each year, on 10 October and WFMH focuses on a specific theme for that year. This year, 2024, the theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental Health at Work’.
Poor working conditions can negatively impact mental well-being. Those may include discrimination, low wages or insecure jobs and lack of adequate protection. Mental health problems can negatively impact their self-confidence resulting in decreased performance in productivity, increased health care cost and absenteeism. This can affect their family members and thereby, the society too.
Regrettably, stigma and lack of awareness of mental health also cause barriers to an efficient and effective workforce. Stigma and discrimination often prevent people with mental health conditions from seeking help or finding and keeping jobs. Each year, only depression and anxiety result in the loss of about 12 billion workdays.
Immediate action is required to mobilise the 60 percent global workforce to ensure risk free work environment.
Employers should organise regular supportive meetings, and appropriate medication storage for those affected. Employers and coworkers can influence change in the workplace by taking action against stigma and encouraging open discussion on mental health. It’s also important to be able to identify the signs of common mental health problems such as depression, stress and anxiety and offer support to colleagues who may be struggling with mental health issues. A supportive work environment helps promote mental health.
Managers receiving these trainings can effectively promote a healthier, more supportive and inclusive work environment. Organising awareness seminars and workshops should also be imparted to all the workers to understand the importance of mentally healthy workforce for the advancement of the organisation, as well as, the workers as individuals.
Policy makers, employers, representative organisations and stakeholders responsible for the workers’ health and safety must collaborate to create policies to prioritise mental health, and prevent mental health risks and build favourable work conditions.
At the same time, we also have to take steps to support our own well-being and learn techniques to manage stress and take care of changes in our mental health. If needed, we must reach out for support from trusted friends, family members, colleagues, supervisors, or health professional.
Every leader and employee can play a role in promoting workplace mental health. Here a few simple actions you can take to support mental health and well-being for yourself and your colleagues.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH:
Express Gratitude to those around you to build strong relationships and a more positive workplace.
Participate in mindfulness activities for a few minutes like deep breathing exercises or meditation.
Connect with colleagues, spend some time together sharing ideas in an informal way during break times
Engage in active listening with some colleagues and provide emotional support.
Avoid discrimination.
Try to break the bias and stigma surrounding the work place.
These are just a few examples. Do remember that prioritizing mental health in the workplace is an ongoing commitment that benefits everyone and the organisation as a whole.
Applying these can be difficult until the curse of stigma is attached.
Mental health conditions are quite common but people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them because mental health disorder is seen as a disgrace and shame.
According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, in 2019, at least 50 million children in India were affected by mental health issues. The report states that 80 – 90 percent of people didn’t seek support. In India and many other countries, mental health problems are almost taboo. People think it’s not normal to have mental health issues, so they keep it secret from family and friends or deny it when asked.
Silence is one of the leading causes that has seen the rise in deaths by suicide worldwide.
Sadly, the stigma of mental illness is common and rooted in our lives. It comes in many forms of negative attitudes and beliefs, leading to discrimination; lack of understanding by family, friends and co-workers; fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities; bullying, physical violence or harassment etc. People might also avoid the person affected, assuming the person to be dangerous or using derogatory language.
It makes the affected person feel unfit, ashamed or hurt. The sufferer becomes reluctant to seek the much-needed professional help or treatment and withdraws into a cocoon shell.
It’s high time we normalised discussions on mental health concerns. We must also create awareness of its devastating impact on the person affected so that people take it seriously.
Normalising mental health means treating it just as we treat our physical health or disease. It’s just as concerning as physical health. I would say more because it usually stays undiagnosed until it turns fatal.
Mental health and physical health are correlated. Poor mental health has a detrimental effect on physical fitness and vice versa. Studies suggest that depression can have a 40% higher risk of developing heart disease than the general population.
To normalise mental health, we must first know a little about condition.
Each mental health condition has its signs and symptoms. A few primary symptoms of a mentally affected person will have significant personality changes, eating or sleeping patterns; reduced capability to concentrate, an inability to cope with problems; withdrawal from friends and daily activities; extreme mood swings, uncontrolled fears, worries, anger, feelings of guilt and sadness; fatigue, excessive violence and suicidal thoughts. Physical problems such as stomach pain, back pain, and headaches may also occur.
Normalising mental health concerns will help remove the stigma and prejudice attached and make it easier for affected people or families to come forward and seek medical help.
SO HOW DO WE NORMALISE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS?
Speaking openly about mental health concerns with friends, family, and co-workers can help normalise conversations and create an atmosphere of trust for others to feel safe sharing their problems.
When someone speaks about some beloved ones or their mental health, listen patiently without any interruption. Let them feel comfortable to share their thoughts. Once they end, show empathy. Don’t be judgmental or blaming.
Ask them if they need any help from you. Let them know you are there for them, when needed.
While discussing mental health, be very cautious about the language you use. Most often, negative words like weird, insane, and dangerous are used to describe mental health patients. Instead, use more general terms like stress and anxiety. Incorporating the right words will help alleviate stigma.
Many celebrities openly discuss their mental health conditions, like Demi Lovato, Daniele Radcliffe, Lady Gaga, Leonardo Dicaprio, Adele, etc. They are setting examples to normalise mental health discussions.
We need to destigmatise mental illnesses along with normalising the issue. Destigmatising mental health will help remove the shame or disgrace associated with it.
Stigma typically stems from a lack of information. Speak out against stigma openly, with care. Helping educate others can make a big difference. It will encourage those facing the symptoms to be more open and break the barrier of stigma. It will create easy access to prevention and get treatment for the affected person.
Mental health condition is not a sign of weakness. It can happen to anyone, just like a physical illness, and should be seen like any other regular health issue that must be discussed and taken care of. There should be no self-doubt and shame.
Stigma is a hindrance in recognising or seeking help for mental health disorders. The longer it goes untreated, the more severe it becomes.
Don’t be afraid of people being judgmental. Life is precious - don’t let it go wasted
Most mental illnesses are treatable. People with mental illnesses can live productive and happy lives. Psychotherapists can assess and diagnose mental health conditions. They can offer guidance and potential solutions to patients to strengthen self-confidence and positive behavioural changes.
Let’s watch out for the symptoms in ourselves and those around us, encouraging the affected to seek help.
None of us are immune to this. The next person affected can be anyone: you, me or one of our beloved ones.
Let’s all mobilise our efforts to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive at work and in life.
Take action NOW for a healthier future.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed healthcare practitioner.
References:
1. Redmond, Kendra, Mental Health Matters–Normalising the Conversation, Society of Physics students, Fall 2018
2. Mayo clinic staff, Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental illness, Mayo Clinic
3. Mental Disorders, World Health Organisation, 8 June 2022
