On October 10, 2024, in commemoration of World Mental Health Day, Haridwar University organized a significant workshop titled “Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.” The event featured a guest lecture by Dr. Mohd. Talha Shamim (MD in Psychiatry), a renowned expert in the field of mental health. The workshop aimed to shed light on the crucial topic of mental health in professional environments and its impact on employee well-being and productivity.
The Growing Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace
Dr. Talha Shamim began the workshop by addressing the growing prevalence of mental health issues in the workplace. With increasing job demands, long working hours, and constant connectivity through technology, many employees are experiencing burnout, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Shamim stressed that the modern workplace has become a significant contributor to mental health challenges, making it more important than ever for employers to prioritize mental well-being.
He explained how mental health affects not only individual employees but also the overall performance of an organization. High levels of stress and untreated mental health issues can lead to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and high employee turnover. This, in turn, affects the morale and efficiency of the entire workforce. Dr. Shamim advocated for mental health to be viewed as a critical factor in organizational success.
Creating a Mentally Healthy Work Environment
During the workshop, Dr. Shamim shared actionable strategies that employers and employees can implement to create a mentally healthy workplace. These included fostering open communication, providing mental health resources and support, and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. He emphasized the need for organizations to establish policies that promote mental health awareness and provide access to professional counseling services when necessary.
Dr. Shamim also highlighted the role of leadership in promoting mental well-being. Managers and supervisors play a key role in recognizing the signs of mental distress among employees and ensuring that support is provided in a timely and compassionate manner. He urged companies to prioritize training for their leadership teams to become advocates for mental health within the workplace.
Engagement and Interaction with Participants
The workshop concluded with an engaging Q&A session where participants, including students, faculty, and professionals from various industries, had the opportunity to ask questions and share their own workplace experiences. Dr. Shamim offered practical advice on managing stress and anxiety in high-pressure work environments and emphasized the importance of self-care, mindfulness, and resilience.
A Call to Action
Through this workshop, Haridwar University reaffirmed its commitment to promoting mental health awareness, not only on campus but also in the professional world. The event served as a timely reminder of the need for businesses to prioritize mental health as part of their corporate culture and take proactive steps to support their employees’ well-being.
