Kaolack, Oct 10 (APS) – The Minister of Health and Social Action, Ibrahima Sy, launched, Thursday, in Kaolack (center), the 32nd World Mental Health Day, placed this year under the theme ‘ ‘It’s time to prioritize mental health at work,’ noted the APS.
The demonstration was held in the presence of the prefect of the Kaolack department, Latyr Ndiaye and the medical and territorial authorities.
”The theme of this edition of World Health Day deals with the global issue of well-being and quality of life at work, an area that is very little addressed,” commented the Minister of Health.
He said the World Health Organization used the day to highlight the link between mental health and work.
According to him, creating a “healthy and safe working environment” helps protect mental health.
”On the contrary, behaviors such as stigma, discrimination, exposure to risks such as harassment and other poor working conditions can significantly compromise mental health.”
He believes that ”if we consider that 60% of the world’s population works, there is an urgent need to act to protect and promote mental health at work to prevent related risks,” he insisted.
The Minister of Health and Social Action reveals that the 2023 National Mental Health Survey highlighted a prevalence of “burn out” of around 57.5% among workers. This shows, according to him, that this phenomenon is quite worrying within Senegalese society and that no one is spared.
For early and effective treatment, he says, the emphasis will be placed on the involvement of everyone.
He pleaded with employers for the promotion and popularization of the determinants of mental health in the workplace.
ADE/ASG/ADL/MTN
