Companies urged to ensure workers’ mental wellbeing

CEBU, Philippines —  Companies are urged to take care of the mental health of their employees, as the pressures of the lingering pandemic continuously wreak havoc on workers’ mental state.

Dr. Carrianne Ewe of International SOS Philippines revealed that mental health has been an area of concern for organizations “as we continue to navigate through the crisis.”

Ewe mentioned the mental stress and pandemic fatigue as two of the major factors that drive mental imbalance among working population, especially those who are in the remote and rotational working set up.

“We have been supporting our clients with rotational workers by incorporating mental health support into their health and wellness programs,” Ewe said.

According to Ewe, it has become essential to support employees who are experiencing mental stress and pandemic fatigue.  

“It is important to tell them that they are not alone in their journey and support is within reach through the Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) which can help them with sessions on mindfulness and tips on improving one’s mental wellbeing. This approach helps organizations build the resilience of their employees, ensuring that they are healthy and productive during these challenging times,” she added.

The Department of Health (DOH) has reported an increase of calls on mental health and suicide through the National Center of Mental Health (NCMH) hotline, with over 3,000 individuals supported during the first quarter of 2021. The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) supplemental guidelines on workplace prevention and control of COVID-19 issued last year mandated establishments to implement all necessary safety and health programs at no cost to employees.

Dr. Rodrigo Rodriguez-Fernandez, medical director of Wellness and Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) of International SOS warned that there is an urgent need for increased focus, understanding and strategies to mitigate mental ill-health and promote the better mental health of the remote rotational workforce.

“This is highlighted in our survey, which uncovers significantly high levels of critical mental ill health issues, including suicidal thoughts and depression. The COVID-19 environment has also added increased stress on this already pressured working arrangement,” noted Fernandez.

According to the International SOS Foundation and Affinity Health at Work’s global study on “Mental Health and the Remote Rotational Workforce,” psychological impacts of this unique mode of working include evidence of the high level of suicidal thoughts, clinical depression, impact on physical health (such as diet), and effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Those who are highly susceptible are remote rotational workers such as flight crews, seamen, oil and gas rig crews, and engineering and operations personnel.

Some of the most alarming key findings detailed that 40 percent of all respondents experienced suicidal thoughts on rotation sometimes or all the time (compared to the average of 4-9 percent). This meant that one in five felt suicidal all or most of the time, while 29 percent of participants met the benchmark for clinical depression while on-rotation.

Another 52 percent reported a decline in mood and flagging mental health while on rotation. What’s even more alarming is that 62 percent of respondents at work had worse mental health than would be the norm in a typical population or setting, while 31 percent of workers off rotation reported experiencing lower mental health than the general population.

Working through the pandemic further weighed down remote rotational workers as 65 percent experienced increased job demands, and 56 percent saw an increase in working hours that contributed to stress and anxiety. 49 percent of workers were also concerned for their safety and a third of respondents said they felt increasingly lonely. While 23 percent exhibited negative physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach problems.

The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting global workforce from health and security threats.