To combat soaring rates of depression, the World Health Organization stated today that yoga lessons should be offered in workplaces.
The powerful organization also urged managers to receive mental health training to identify employees who are struggling and to give stress management courses to their personnel.
Experts expect that the proposals, developed in partnership with the International Labour Organization, will assist in reducing the prevalence of mental illness in the workplace.
One of the proposals is to implement interventions that attempt to improve the stress management abilities of employees, which could include mindfulness training.
The workplace should also offer opportunities for “leisure-based physical activity,” such as gym classes, walking, and yoga.
The organizations suggested that, if activities cannot be conducted in offices or other settings, firms should identify external locations for workers to utilize.
They noted that employers should assess employee workloads to ensure no one is at risk of burnout.
The authors of the report stated, “A high workload increases the likelihood of experiencing mental health problems.
Employers should provide ‘psychosocial therapies’ for employees experiencing ’emotional distress,’ such as those based on mindfulness or cognitive-behavioral techniques. They stated that this could “increase work effectiveness.”
Today’s statement also emphasizes hazards to employee mental health, such as bullying and psychological assault, often known as “mobbing.”
WHO estimates that approximately 15% of persons of working age have a mental health problem.
12 billion ‘working days’ are wasted annually owing to depression and anxiety among workers, according to estimates.
An estimated £1trillion is wasted annually from the global economy owing to depression and anxiety, primarily as a result of decreased productivity.
The WHO’s director general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated, “It’s time to focus on the negative impact that work has on our mental health.”
Poor mental health can have a crippling effect on a person’s productivity and performance.
These new standards can aid in preventing unfavorable work environments and cultures and provide workers with much-needed mental health protection and assistance.
Guy Ryder, director general of the ILO, adds, “As individuals spend a significant portion of their life at work, a safe and healthy workplace is essential.”
“We must engage in building a culture of prevention around mental health in the workplace, in reshaping the workplace to eliminate stigma and social exclusion, and in ensuring that employees with mental health disorders feel protected and supported.”
Like other forms of exercise, yoga is beneficial for mental health.
Scientific evidence does not support the concept that the ancient practice has additional benefits, such as helping to “squeeze” poisons out of the body’s organs.
An estimated 5% of the world’s adult population suffers from depression.
According to a scientific report published by the WHO earlier this year, the mental health impact of the Covid epidemic was expected to increase depression rates by 25 percent.
