ISLAMABAD: Dean of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Professor Rizwan Taj on Saturday stressed on prioritising mental health in workplace.

Speaking to participants of an event organised in the hospital, Dr Taj spoke about the widespread stigma surrounding mental health issues in the workplace, which often led to isolation and poor mental well-being among employees.

He advocated for open conversations about mental health, promoting a workplace culture that nurtures mental wellness by offering supportive training, creating safe spaces and normalising discussions about mental health challenges.

“Workplace stressors including excessive workloads, deadlines and a lack of support can make employees more prone to anxiety, sadness and burnout. Due to fear of stigmatisation, talking about mental health can be regarded as weakness, and many employees are unwilling to discuss these issues for distress of losing their jobs,” Dr Taj said.

“Encouraging open conversations, offering trainings for team leaders and creating safe spaces for employees to share their experiences can help normalise these discussions. By helping people with their mental health, organisations can maintain a happy and healthy workforce,” he said.

Professor Taj, who is well known psychiatrist, said everyone should be encourage to discuss the most pressing issues in their field and to identify possible solutions.

“Everybody has the right to work in a secure and healthy workplace. Reducing risk factors for suicide also entails productivity and social interaction,” he said.

Addressing the audience, Pims Executive Director Prof Rana Imran Sikander praised the psychiatry department for its efforts in mental health care, mentioning notable initiatives such as introduction of tele-psychiatry, the Youth Mental Health Programme and the establishment of Pakistan’s first Unesco bioethics unit in Pakistan in 2012.

Heads of various departments also shared their perspectives, agreeing that awareness was crucial in combating stigma and supporting mental health as a universal human right.

The event was attended by prominent health professionals including Head of General Medicine Prof Shajee Siddique, Head of Neurosurgery Prof Lal Rehman, Head of ENT Prof Altaf, Head of Neurology Prof Mansoor, Head of the Eye Department Prof Arif Khan and Head of General Surgery Prof Mumtaz Ahmed Khan Niazi.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024