Mental health key to workplace safety — NMHC

As Barbados observes World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the National Mental Health Commission (NMHC) is calling on employers across the island to recognise that mental health is not separate from workplace safety — it IS workplace safety.

“When we talk about creating safe and healthy workplaces, we must include mental and psychosocial wellbeing alongside physical safety,” said Dr Maisha Emmanuel, chair of the National Mental Health Commission. “Work-related stress, burnout, harassment, and violence are occupational health hazards — just as chemical exposure, unsafe machinery, or poor ergonomics are.”

The commission emphasises that poor mental health in the workplace creates significant safety risks. Stress, anxiety, and depression reduce concentration, slow reaction times, impair judgement, and decrease situational awareness — all factors which can lead to workplace accidents and injuries. Workers experiencing mental health challenges are at higher risk of making errors, having accidents, and being unable to respond effectively to emergencies.

“Too many Barbadian workers are struggling with excessive workloads, long hours, workplace bullying, lack of support, and job insecurity,” Dr Emmanuel continued. “These psychosocial hazards are as real and dangerous as any physical hazard, and they must be addressed with the same seriousness and urgency.”

The commission urges employers to take concrete action by assessing psychosocial risks in their workplaces, implementing measures to prevent and control these hazards, promoting mental health awareness and support, and fostering cultures in which workers feel safe speaking up about mental health concerns without fear of stigma or discrimination.

Key employer actions include managing workloads to prevent burnout, providing clear job roles and expectations, enabling work-life balance through flexible working arrangements where possible, implementing zero-tolerance policies on workplace bullying and harassment, training managers to recognise and support mental health issues, and providing access to Employee Assistance Programmes and mental health services.

The commission also reminds workers that protecting mental health at work is everyone’s responsibility. Workers are encouraged to speak up about workplace stressors, set healthy boundaries, take regular breaks, build supportive relationships with colleagues, practise stress management techniques, and seek help early if struggling.

“A safe workplace protects both physical and mental health,” Dr Emmanuel concluded. “Every worker in Barbados has the right to return home safe and healthy — in body and mind — every day. On this World Day for Safety and Health at Work, let us commit to creating workplaces where mental health is valued, protected, and supported as the essential component of workplace safety.” (PR)