The Initiative

A National Effort for Mental Health at Work

The National Initiative for Mental Health in the Workplace was launched by the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) at the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and national partners, on September 18, 2019. It comes as part of Lebanon’s ongoing efforts to reform and strengthen the mental health system, guided by the National Mental Health Strategy, which highlights the workplace as a key setting for promoting mental health, preventing mental ill-health, and protecting human rights.
The Initiative comprises 7 key components: The Charter, Capacity Building, Guidance Notes, Policy Templates & Resources, Workplace Coaching, Advocacy, Research & Evidence Generation, and the MHiW Portal.

Why?

Why a Workplace Initiative?

Why a Workplace Initiative?
Objectives of the Initiative
MHiW in the National Mental Health Strategy

Work is a determinant of mental health. Decent work promotes well-being, while poor working conditions—such as job insecurity, discrimination, or heavy workloads—can harm it.
Mental health matters for productivity. Depression and anxiety cost the global economy an estimated US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity. In Lebanon, employers face similar challenges, compounded by the multiple emergencies and crises, including economic crisis, political crisis, COVID-19, Beirut port explosion, armed conflict, among others.
Change starts with leadership. Employers and employees alike play a vital role in breaking the stigma and creating workplaces that value mental health as much as physical safety.

Components of the Initiative

1. The Charter

2. Capacity Building

3. Emergency Response Guidance Notes, Policy Templates, Tools, and other Resources.

4. Supportive Workplace Assessment and Coaching

5. Research and Evidence Generation

6. Advocacy

7. MHiW Portal

Timeline

MHiW Through The Years

2019

The Beginning

Setting the foundation for mental health at work.
Launch of the Mental Health in the Workplace initiative
National awareness campaign and Charter released
Training and awareness materials developed
Web portal launched to share resources

Impact in Numbers

See how many workplaces we've impacted!

Mental Health Champions

Training of Trainers Participants

Training Rollout Participants

National Trainers

Workplaces Trained on MHiW

Workplaces Trained on Emergency Response

Workers Trained on Emergency Response

CEOs Engaged

The National Mental Health Strategy

This initiative is fully aligned with the National Mental Health Strategy 2024–2030, which outlines Lebanon’s roadmap towards a comprehensive, community-based, and rights-oriented mental health system. It reflects the strategy’s vision to promote mental health and wellbeing across all settings, including the workplace.
We invite you to explore the whole strategy to learn more about the national priorities and how collective efforts are shaping the future of mental health in Lebanon.