A global psychological pandemic is on the way
We spoke to David Woods Bartley, TEDx speaker and member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (davidwoodsbartley.com) to seek his advice to wellness officers regarding mental health of employees in the COVID-19 scenario, kind of changes to safety and health norms are anticipated in large organizations post COVID-19 and the role he foresees for law-enforcing agencies for the greater common good of employees.
Interviewed by Adeesh Sharma
What is your advice to wellness officers regarding mental health of employees in the COVID-19 scenario?
It is important to first accept the reality that there is a global psychological pandemic on the way. Put another way, a tidal wave of mental health related problems, in EVERY sector of life, including work, will soon crash upon the global shores.
Beyond the human toll, and tragic loss of life by way of suicide, there is a very real cost in terms of dollars and cents when it comes to business. The economic impact in terms of absenteeism, presenteeism, loss of productivity, and employee turnover is staggering. Specifically, the WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that India will suffer economic losses of more than $1 Trillion dollars because of mental health disorders (between 2012 and 2030).
The fact is, the storm was already brewing, but COVID-19 and its companions, forced isolation, social distancing, and disconnection, has whipped the disturbance into a negative force of nature.
And yet, we do not need to stand frozen on the shore and wait for the wave to crash down up us. Yes, the problem of mental illness is significant and complex. But the truth is, the solution is simple and best yet, at hand. Even as simple as ABC.
More specifically, in the current age, the number one priority of every wellness officer must be the active creation of a culture of Acceptance, Belonging and Connection. In terms of a process and the associated steps, it works best in this order:
Step 1 is to educate all levels of employees about the reality, causes of types of mental health disorders. Step 2 is to then train the same on specific ways to navigate away from mental