Dear Friends,
Recent research has shown clearly how serious it is to neglect mental health
in the workplace.
Job burnout is costing nations billions of dollars, according to results
presented at the conference and Symposium held at the ILO on 9-10 October.
Two major UN agencies, the ILO and WHO, supported the Symposium. Mental
Health professionals, together with representatives of major industrial
corporations, advocacy groups, researchers and the media acknowledged the
findings. These showed a need for standards for mental health in workplaces
which should be implemented by any company which wants to expand globally.
Meanwhile, in many countries governments are restricting benefits for
treatment of mental illness. In other countries treatment programs have not
even been developed in primary health care or elsewhere. This leads to more
difficulties for those suffering from psychiatric disorders and stress.
We thank ILO Secretary General Juan Somavia, Derek Yach, M.D., WHO Executive
Director, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, and Barbara Murray,
ILO Senior Specialist in Vocational Rehabilitation, Employment Sector, for
their input and dedication for mental health. We also thank our WFMH staff
for backing these activities, and World Strategic Partners for organizing an
excellent conference in Geneva. We appreciate the support of Pfizer for
WFMH activities related to the events in Geneva.
Dr. Ahmed Abou El-Azayem
President, WFMH
