Page 18 - KZN Business Sense 9.4 - Shadrach Karien (Cover)

BUSINESS HAS A ROLE IN SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH

Jacquie Bhana, Coach, could increase productivity by in lost productivity annually.
Mentor and Counsellor as much as 12% (Mental Health Therefore, mental health is a MENTAL HEALTH
Foundation, UK) major business issue.
any Managers play a major role Fact Sheet
people when it comes to managing the The case for business to take
Mspend mental health and wellbeing of mental health seriously Globally Mental Health in SA
the major part of employees. Yet many managers Those companies who look 450 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD SUFFER FROM A 3 rd biggest contributor to the burden of disease
their lives and are not equipped to deal effectively after employee mental health MENTAL ILLNESS
their time at with employee mental health in save more and enjoy an increase DEPRESSION IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY 7.7% reduction in mental hospital beds across all
provinces
work. Having a addition to delivering on their in productivity have been NEARLY 1 MILLION PEOPLE COMMIT SUICIDE EVERY YEAR 16.5% of South Africans suffer from common
fulfilling job, a many daily responsibilities. It has documented. For example a 75% OF PEOPLE IN LOW/MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES WILL mental health problems
good manager been said that half of the managers study in Japan found that the NOT GET THE TREATMENT THEY NEED 43.7% of people with HIV/AIDS have a mental
and a positive in South Africa don’t even know implementation of workplace health condition
work environment is therefore how many sick days are due to measures decreased stress and Life-time prevalence of 11% of all non-natural death in SA is due to suicide
Mental Disorders in SA
important for their mental employees having depression. improved employee performance. Compared with 14 other countries in the WMH Survey, South Africa is in the bottom 4 of countries for
health and general wellbeing. Admittedly, our laws don’t South Africa has the: providing mental health treatment
There are times when people feel require employees to disclose this A training programme for 2 nd highest for substance abuse disorders (13.3%) 50% of health facilities do not meet quality
6 th highest for anxiety disorders (15.8%)
down, stressed or frightened, information to their managers. managers in the United Kingdom 7 th highest for mood disorders (9.8%) standards
at Heathrow entitled, “Your mind
tired, make uncharacteristic matters”, covered topics such as: Stigma and burden for Mental Health Patients
mistakes, feel demotivated, Types of mental disorders Cant take care of Separated / Divorced Lost Friends Negative Family
manage their time poorly Many types of mental ■ Creating a positive dependants Relationships
or are short tempered, and disorders exist, i.e. antisocial psychological environment 17% 26% 47% 49%
avoid colleagues – sometimes personality disorder, eating ■ How to catch someone before
this passes. However, these disorders, post traumatic they fall
responses can develop into a stress, schizophrenia, bipolar, ■ Helping them to return to work
mental health problem that can disorder, etc. but the most Seeking treatment for Mental Health Resources for Mental Health
impact daily life. Sometimes a prevalent are depression and Studies by Deloitte Insights 29% Per 100,000 of the population there are:
mental health problem develops anxiety, which has a major into mental health concluded 20% 7.5 Nurses
into something more complex impact on employee performance that if it is “Good for our People, 11% 0.4 Social workers
that may require support and in the workplace, e.g. it is Good for Business”. 9% 0.28 Psychiatrists
treatment for life. Sadly over 0.32 Psychologists
Western
6000 people a year, with long ■ Affects relationships Mental health is important for Healthcare Alternative Religious/ Traditional
Healthcare
Healers
Spiritual
term mental health problems, ■ Work performance business sustainability as there is providers Provider Advisors 2.8 beds for in-patients
die by suicide in the United ■ Capability a need to build workplaces where u +/- 6 million South African could suffer from PTSD u +/- 8000 South Africans commit suicide each year
Kingdom. In South Africa 8000 everyone can thrive, because a u 82.1% cannot afford private health care u 50% believe mental health is not a priority
people die by suicide per year. ■ Leave days toxic work environment can be Research compiled by SADAG – References: DoH, 2012; WHO, 2012, SASH, 2009; MHaPP, 2007; Freeman, 2007; MRC, 2006
Depression is one of the major ■ Performance on promotion corrosive for mental health.
causes of suicide.
A very important point for Mental health post-Covid nature of work is changing and both one on one sessions in assisting with
Some everyday stressors can business to take cognisance of is Although Covid has made mental health issues in the workplace as
affect mental health – e.g.: work that 19% of affected employees mental health a priority, it is critical for employers to well as offers information sessions.
related deadlines, work/business fear reporting depression because many companies have been review their approach to mental
travel, health, relationships, of the STIGMA attached to this implementing interventions health and to recognise that For more information
personal circumstances, and condition. Companies must start over the years. There has been what started off as a sprint has C: +27 83 386 8343
E: info@jacquiebhana.co.za
could cause thoughts of suicide. dealing with the stigma around a staggering increase in covid- turned into a long and painful W: www.jacquiebhana.co.za
These issues can affect anybody, mental health at work. linked depression and anxiety marathon, bringing with it new
and nobody is exempt. and studies have shown this challenges along the way. 
Another important point to
But good mental health at note is the impact of depression across the globe.
work and good management go at work. According to the World Realising that most people This article is part one of two articles.
hand in hand. Positive mental Health Organisation, poor have some levels of anxiety, Look out for the second part in the
next edition of Business Sense.
health could result in a happy mental health globally costs the loneliness and isolation and fear
and productive workforce and economy a loss of R1 trillion of job losses is important. The Mental health issues is a specific interest
of Jacquie Bhana and she is available for

THE END OF JOBS. THE DAWN OF SKILLS.

By Michael Gullan, CEO of G&G business leaders are becoming deployed for their skills, not a clear strategy based on a on outcomes, not just their
Advocacy skills-centric. For example, an just job descriptions, get results. clear understanding of your past credentials and job
employee with excellent strategic 3. Skills and talent gaps – business goals overlaid with history.
skills can be deployed to work on Focusing on the work an audit of employee skills,
or years, job descriptions client business while also forming interests, and values to identify When you understand the
have defined how part of an internal team tasked employees can accomplish skills opportunities and gaps. unique portfolio of skills,
Forganisations are with optimizing the overall based on their skills opens Implement as follows: values, preferences, and
structured. This method worked business strategy. possibilities and mitigates interests each employee
well when businesses changed talent gaps as you can harness ■ Match employees with work, offers, they are empowered to
slowly, and employees were The benefits of a skills-first your existing resources teams, or projects that align contribute with their existing
considered cogs in the machine. approach to structuring and instead of looking for external with their skills, passions, skills, develop new skills
However, smart HR teams hiring candidates offer the hires. It also inspires and preferences. and move on to projects or
are focused more on skills, following benefits: employees to learn and grow. ■ Assign work based on adjacent departments as their growing
empowering employees to be 1. Pressure to perform – When 4. Increased diversity – Hiring skills allowing them skills are needed. People are
agile, autonomous and perform employees’ skills match employees for their skills opportunities to grow. happiest and productive when
beyond their duties. outputs, organisations rather than their experience ■ Supplement existing skills their work aligns with who
A 2023 survey by Deloitte shows can increase productivity and or network facilitates with extremal hires and they are, what they care about,
that less than 20% of business employee satisfaction. diversity and a high- consultants. and when they are continually
leaders believe work is best 2. Agility and flexibility – To performing workforce. ■ Implement a targeted eLearning learning and growing. 
structured by job description, survive rapidly changing programme to develop skills.
Like all successful business
and more HR professionals and market conditions, employees initiatives, it must start with ■ Trust employees to deliver W: www.ggadvc.com

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