The World Health Organisation marks World Mental Health Day annually on 10 October. Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Social Affairs Sector, announced that the theme for the 2024 celebration will be "It's Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace." This year’s observance aims to raise global awareness of mental health, mobilise efforts to support those affected by mental health challenges, and underscore the critical connection between mental health and work. Safe and healthy work environments can serve as protective factors for mental well-being.
Dr. Abu Ghazaleh stated that mental health is a fundamental human right, asserting that everyone is entitled to the highest attainable standard of mental health, including protection from mental health risks. According to the World Health Organisation, unhealthy working conditions pose significant threats to mental health, negatively impacting quality of life, participation, and productivity in the workplace. Furthermore, humanitarian crises, conflicts, natural disasters, and public health emergencies exacerbate psychological distress, threatening individual well-being and hampering recovery efforts.
Her Excellency stressed the need for concerted efforts to ensure that health systems are fully responsive to the needs of individuals with mental disorders. She called for the mobilisation of resources to finance and provide comprehensive mental health and psychosocial support services, with a focus on prioritising actions that reduce harmful factors affecting individuals' mental health and creating environments that foster mental well-being.
The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States places significant emphasis on mental health, having included the issue of mental health support and promotion on the agenda of the extraordinary session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers in 2023. This was done in preparation for the fifth session of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit.
The Ambassador underscored the importance of integrating mental health into primary health care to ensure that no one is left behind. She stressed the need to implement measures to promote and enhance mental health and well-being, including expanding mental health and psychosocial support services, and developing regular, sustainable plans aimed at improving mental and psychological health.
