Mental Health Association Gozo is organising its annual conference next week in Victoria. This time the theme is – Your Mental Health at the Place of Work.

MHAG said that it is a fact that globalisation has contributed to work-related stress and its associated disorders.

It highlighted the fact that an estimated one in five people at the workplace experience a mental health condition, however, frequently, people with mental illness conceal their illness for fear of discrimination when keeping or looking for a job.

“This is because stigma and lack of awareness of mental health at the workplace persist as barriers to equality,” the Association said.

It added that mental health issues have a direct impact on workplaces through increased absenteeism, presenteeism, illnesses, injuries, grievances, complaints, turnover and legal implications

At a global policy level, WHO’s Global Plan of Action on Worker’s Health (2008-2017) and Mental Health Action Plan (2013-2030) outline relevant principles, objectives and implementation strategies to promote good mental health in the workplace.

MHAG said that these include addressing social determinants of mental health, such as living standards and working conditions; activities for prevention and promotion of health and mental health, including activities to reduce stigmatisation and discrimination; and increasing access to evidence-based care through health service development, including access to occupational health services.

The conference is taking place next Friday, the 25th of October, at the Ministry for Gozo, St Francis Square, Victoria, from 8.30am till 1.00pm.

MHAG said that individuals from all walks of life are welcomed to participate. All those interested in attending the conference are requested to email on awareness.mhag@gmail.com

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