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Prioritizing mental health in the workplace: A global imperative
Over the past five years, mental health in the workplace has gained unprecedented attention worldwide. Employers are recognizing that employee well-being is not just a moral obligation but also a critical driver of productivity, loyalty, and overall business success.
Growing concern
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15% of working-age adults experienced mental disorders in 2019. Moreover, the global economy loses an estimated $1 trillion annually due to depression and anxiety, primarily resulting from decreased productivity.
- Prevalence: Depression, including burnout, is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. However, a significant proportion of individuals with depression go undiagnosed, especially in workplace settings.
Up to 50% of employees with depression neither receive a diagnosis nor treatment, leading to reduced productivity, costly errors, and increased absenteeism.
Economic impact
- Global cost: WHO estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy approximately $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. Burned-out or untreated employees experience at least a 20% drop in productivity, creating substantial financial losses for businesses.
- Cost analysis: For a company with 1,000 employees, if 10% of them experience burnout with a 20% productivity reduction, and the average salary is $50,000, the annual productivity loss can reach $1 million.
Emerging trends
The prevalence of workplace depression is expected to grow due to increasing workloads, economic instability, and the lingering effects of global events such as the world pandemic and geopolitical conflicts.
Deep clinical depression has also become one of the most common side effects of post-COVID-19 recovery. Without effective interventions, the percentage of undiagnosed cases will inevitably rise, escalating productivity losses to catastrophic levels.
- Economic forecast: If current trends persist, global economic losses due to workplace depression could exceed $1 trillion annually, with undiagnosed cases contributing significantly to this figure.
Strategies for employers