Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Social Services Department recently hosted its fourth Mental Health Symposium in honour of World Mental Health Day, under the theme "Mental Health in the Workplace." The event took place last Thursday at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security's auditorium in Sharjah. The symposium brought together a range of mental health experts, academics, and interested attendees.
Dr. Alia Al Shehhi presented a paper titled "The Importance of Effective Communication and Social Interaction in Enhancing Mental Health and Building a Positive Work Environment." She discussed various factors that negatively influence employees' mental well-being in the workplace, including excessive workloads, unclear job roles, and tight deadlines, which can lead to stress and depression. In addition, uncomfortable workplace designs—such as poor lighting, ventilation, and noise levels—can further harm employees' mental health.
Strained relationships between staff and management also play a significant role in diminishing employees' sense of satisfaction and mental well-being. Moreover, job insecurity and insufficient pay can contribute to heightened feelings of stress and anxiety.
Meanwhile, Dr. Moza Al Mansoori, from the Higher Colleges of Technology, shared a paper on "The Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace and Employee Health Care and Its Impact on Productivity." She defined health as a holistic concept encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of illness. Al Mansoori explained that physical health concerns the absence of physical ailments, mental health relates to sound beliefs and thoughts, and social health refers to one's ability to adapt to social changes and maintain satisfaction with oneself and society.
She stressed that providing psychological care for employees is key to improving productivity and overall organisational performance. Treating employees with respect, recognising their emotions, and offering continuous development through training are vital steps. Dr. Al Mansoori also underscored the importance of fostering job security and highlighted the need for psychological support specialists in the workplace to help employees thrive and achieve their goals.
A 2022 global mental health report, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization, noted that 60% of the world’s population are workers, and they deserve access to a safe and healthy working environment.
Dr. Sheikha Al Shehhi, a specialist in psychological and family therapy, presented a paper titled "How to Manage Stress and Psychological Pressure in the Workplace." She began by explaining that mental health is a state of psychological well-being that enables individuals to face life’s pressures, achieve their potential, and work effectively. Mental health encompasses various aspects, including psychological and social well-being, productivity, happiness, and generosity.
She noted that good mental health helps individuals control their emotions and manage their impulses, leading to socially healthy behaviour. Those with sound mental health respond positively to life's challenges, making them more responsible and less likely to avoid obligations. This creates stable, well-adjusted individuals who enjoy lives free from stress, turmoil, and continuous conflict, leading to a sense of personal happiness.
Al Shehhi defined "self-consistency" as a state of psychological stability in which individuals align with their abilities, capacities, and self-efficacy. She highlighted that personal traits can significantly impact mental health in the workplace, explaining that some employees might struggle to find psychological comfort due to negative personal traits like an inability to take responsibility or failure to respect deadlines and workplace norms. Such traits can impede employees' success, leading to feelings of failure and lower mental health.
Regarding job satisfaction, she mentioned key factors like meeting employees' needs, improving financial aspects (e.g., wages, incentives, and rewards), and fostering a sense of justice and appreciation. Job satisfaction, she argued, is essential for achieving mental health at work. A lack of rights can lead to frustration, aggression, and indifference, all of which are indicators of poor mental health.
Lastly, Dr. Hussein Maseeh, an expert in development and care from the Dubai Community Development Authority, presented a paper on "Mental Health and Inner Peace." He discussed the difference between inner peace and happiness, noting that the latter is often linked to wealth, while inner peace is about inner contentment, with mental health being the path to achieving it. Maseeh also spoke about clinical psychology, explaining that there are 400 types of mental disorders based on theories rather than randomness, leading to different treatment and diagnosis methods.
He concluded by emphasising that psychological therapy can restore happiness and inner peace by treating mental disorders, reinstating stability, and promoting a preventive approach to avoid relapse and improve lifestyle.
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