Page 58 - Bulletin, Vol.83 No.2, September 2024

JIU REPORT ON MENTAL HEALTH

Document prepared by Mohammed Sebti, AAFI-AFICS

for inclusion in the 2024 FAFICS Council agenda

JIU report –JIU/REP/2023/4- Mental health

The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) has conducted a study on mental health and well-being
policies and practices in United Nations System Organizations (JIU/REP/2023/4). The
review was initiated in response to successive requests from participating
Organizations. In doing so, the JIU referred to guidelines released in 2022 by the World
Health Organization and ILO regarding mental health at work.

In view of the unique nature and specificities pertaining to the international civil
service in terms of the variety of cultures, mobility or working condition either at
Headquarters or in the field, the study has confirmed that United Nations system
personnel represent a platform ideal in terms of psychosocial risk factors faced in the
course of employment.

Different categories of risks are incurred, generating multiple pathologies, such as
stress, anxiety, depression, burnouts, and ending with absenteeism, prolonged sick
leaves, long term illnesses, physical or mental disabilities.

The risks inherent in the international civil service are greater than the average in other
private or public employment sectors thus provoking a steady decline in the mental
health of the UN personnel.

Concrete examples are provided in this respect which indicate that health deterioration
is increasing; Certified sick leave data provided by participating organizations reflect
that in 2021, nearly 20 per cent of all sick leave taken were due to mental health
conditions or related symptoms, up from 16 per cent in 2017; the proportion of such
leave taken due to mental health reasons increased by more than 48 per cent during
the same period. Also, disabilities related to mental health have increased in numbers
and in percentage of all disability benefits granted.

It is therefore undoubtedly witnessed a situation in which the health and well-being of
staff are seriously affected, which is sure to have a negative effect on employment,
productivity and which also has a significant financial cost on organizations. This
situation also has a bearing on the capacity of Organizations to fully assume their
mandates.

The JIU observed that after the analysis of the United Nations Global Well-being
Survey conducted in 2015, the system-wide Strategy entitled, “A healthy workforce for a
better world, United Nations System Mental Health and Well-being Strategy (2018-
2023)” was developed, committed to making the mental health and well-being of United
Nations personnel a priority.

56 AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 83 No. 2, 2024-09

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