World Mental Health Day 2024

October 10th is World Mental Health Day. This year's theme is mental health in the workplace. According to the 2023 ZUS report, the number of sick leave due to mental disorders and behavioral disorders increased by 8.7% compared to the previous year. Doctors issued more than 1.4 million medical certificates, which translated into 26 million days of sick leave. Diseases such as depression, anxiety disorders, reactions to severe stress or adaptive disorders are the main causes of these absences.

Mental disorders among young workers — new challenges for the labour market

According to the same report, published by ZUS, the problem of mental health affects more and more young workers. The average age of people with an established degree of total incapacity for work due to mental disorders is currently 43.7 years. This is alarming data that highlights that incapacity for work affects increasingly young people of working age.

Experts point out that this trend is influenced not only by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic or uncertainty related to the political situation, but also by the increase in public awareness about mental problems. Employers should be aware that mental health problems among young workers can lead to increased levels of absenteeism and reduced productivity. Adequate preventive measures in the workplace are crucial to counteract this.

Employers' actions matter

Employers have a huge impact on the well-being of their employees. The World Mental Health Federation highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the need for greater mental health care in companies. It is a call to action so that mental health is not treated as a secondary issue, but becomes an integral part of the organizational culture.

5 Ways to Support Mental Health in the Workplace

1. Promoting physical activity
   Regular exercise reduces stress levels and improves well-being. Employers can support physical activity by organizing challenges sports, providing access to the gym or promoting short breaks for movement during the working day.
   
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2. Ensuring a healthy and varied diet
   Access to healthy snacks and the promotion of a balanced diet in the office can significantly affect the well-being of employees. A healthy diet supports the ability to concentrate and resist stress.
   
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3. Taking care of work-life balance
   Flexible working hours and the ability to work remotely can help employees better manage their time, which translates into improvements in well-being, overall mental health and allows you to stabilize control over emotions. Various employer initiatives, such as the reduction of working hours per week or workation, significantly contribute not only to improving the well-being of employees.
   
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4. Building social relationships
   Employers should support team integration by organizing meetings or company trips. Good relations between employees help to cope with stress and build a positive atmosphere at work.
   
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5. Mental Health Initiatives
   It is worth organizing workshops on stress management, offering access to a psychologist or promoting initiatives such as “Mental Health Day”. This is a signal to employees that their well-being is a priority for the company. About the fact that psychological help is invaluable, say the statistics of the World Health Organization. And how mental health care in the workplace translates into statistics, the following breakdown shows.

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World Mental Health Day 2024 is an excellent opportunity to declare and act in support of the mental health of workers. By investing in the mental health of the team, employers not only care about employees, but also build stronger, more engaged teams that contribute to the long-term success of the company.