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Why Mental Health Matters in the Workplace

Overview and Key Facts

Work is central to our lives — it shapes our sense of purpose, connection, and dignity.
When workplaces are supportive, fair, and inclusive, they protect and promote mental health.
But when they are unsafe or unstable, they can become sources of distress and harm.

Global Insights

  • 1 in 5 people experience a mental health condition in the workplace.
  • 15% of working-age adults live with a mental health condition at any given time.
  • 6 of the 20 leading causes of disability worldwide affect people aged 15–44 years, the most productive section of the population.
  • 12 billion working days are lost every year due to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy about US $1 trillion annually.
  • In 2016, an estimated 745,000 people globally died from stroke and ischaemic heart disease as a result of working 55 hours or more per week.

Lebanon’s Context

  • According to the World Bank, Lebanon’s economic crisis ranks among the top three most severe economic collapses globally since the mid-nineteenth century.
  • The country’s GDP dropped by 36.35%, from US $52 billion in 2019 to US $18.08 billion in 2021, marking the sharpest contraction among 193 countries.
  • Unemployment nearly doubled, rising from 11.4% in 2019 to 29.6% in 2022, worsening job insecurity and social strain.

These realities highlight why mental health in the workplace is no longer optional — it’s essential. In contexts of crisis and uncertainty, decent work becomes a vital protection for mental health. By fostering fair policies, supportive leadership, and inclusive environments, organizations can help safeguard both individual wellbeing and national recovery.

When Mental Health Is Neglected at Work

Neglecting mental health in the workplace carries serious consequences — for individuals, organizations, and economies.
Psychological distress rarely begins with one event; it builds over time, often fuelled by psychosocial risks — the hidden stressors embedded in the way work is designed, organized, and managed.

Psychosocial Risks at Work

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022), these risks include:

  • Excessive workload and unrealistic expectations, often combined with understaffing or long hours.
  • Low job control, unclear roles, or lack of participation in decision-making.
  • Toxic or discriminatory work cultures, including bullying, harassment, or exclusion.
  • Poor communication and limited support from supervisors or peers.
  • Unsafe or inadequate working conditions that create constant tension.
  • Job insecurity and limited opportunities for growth or fair compensation.
  • Work–life conflict, where personal and professional responsibilities collide.

When these risks are ignored, their impact spreads quickly. Staff become disengaged, innovation declines, and absenteeism increases. The workplace culture deteriorates, creating cycles of stress and dissatisfaction. Over time, this leads to burnout, higher turnover, and a loss of trust.

Neglecting mental health also carries a public cost. In economies already under pressure — like Lebanon’s — workplace distress adds another layer to the national burden, reducing productivity and deepening inequality.

When Mental Health Is Protected at Work

When mental health is prioritized, workplaces become spaces of safety, inclusion, and growth.
The World Health Organization identifies clear, evidence-based steps that can help organizations protect, promote, and support mental health at work — benefiting both employees and employers.

A Mentally Healthy Workplace Is One That:

  • Prevents harm by identifying and addressing psychosocial risks such as stress, discrimination, or harassment.
  • Protects well-being through clear policies, safe environments, and supportive supervision.
  • Promotes a healthy culture by encouraging open dialogue, teamwork, and flexibility.
  • Supports recovery and inclusion by providing reasonable accommodations, return-to-work programs, and access to mental health care.

Workplaces that implement these measures experience higher job satisfaction, stronger engagement, and reduced turnover.

 

In Lebanon, where employers play a vital role in national recovery, prioritizing mental health means investing in dignity, and fairness. Organizations that lead in this field become models of responsibility — shaping a culture where every employee can participate, recover, and thrive.

TESTIMONIALS

What people are saying about the MHiW Initiative...

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

“In Lebanon, such trainings are essential because they help us understand the right attitude to have at work and how to truly support one another. I’m looking forward to learning more."

Raneem Aboulhosn Social Field Officer

Globemed

"When you look at your KPIs in the report you submit to your board of trustees, you can see high absenteeism and turnover and upon investigation, you’ll see that it is related to mental health in the workplace."

Walid Halassou Healthcare Management consultant and former general manager of Globemed

IDRAAC

“Through the Mental Health in the Workplace initiative, we’ve helped organizations recognize that mental health is not a secondary concern, it’s central to sustainability and success.” 

Dr. Georges Karam Executive Director

HOLDAL Group

“As a member of the “WeCare Team” at HOLDAL Group, a dedicated group of volunteers committed to providing emotional support to our colleagues, this training was an invaluable opportunity to enhance my understanding of mental health in the workplace.” 

Mhamad Marrouch Talent Experience & Development Specialist-HR Department

CCL International

“During the program, I gained maturity and coping skills that helped me manage stress, focus on what I could control, and accept what I couldn’t. This transformation inspired me to share my knowledge with colleagues, friends, and family” 

Celine Gedeon Bassi Group Human Resources Manager

ADRA

“Since 2019, Lebanon has faced multiple crises and collective traumas. One of the most meaningful ways we can support our people and their wellbeing is by developing and implementing mental health policies.” 

Allan Zamer HR-Safeguarding Officer

Ministry of Social Affairs

“The Mental Health in the Workplace Initiative enables organizations to take preventive actions, raise awareness, and provide timely interventions.”

Salam Chreim Head of Child Protection Division