Protect mental health in workplace during Covid-19: ILO

Governments must continue to invest in social protection and take extra supportive measures to ensure the mental health of vulnerable disadvantaged groups, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has said.

Governments must continue to invest in social protection and take extra supportive measures to ensure the mental health of vulnerable disadvantaged groups, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has said. At the international level, wealthier nations should support low- and lower-middle-income countries, in which a large proportion of the citizens have no protection at all.

"As our world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, it is crucial that we shed light on the mental health risks that will no doubt persist past this pandemic," said ILO Director General Guy Ryder. These past few months many workers have felt helpless in the face of the profound changes they have experienced. Teleworking has brought new stresses, as workers find themselves isolated or juggling family and professional responsibilities while experiencing blurred lines between their work lives and personal lives.

"Those who cannot telework have felt unjustly exposed to the risks of the pandemic, with all the anxiety it has brought," said Ryder in a statement issued to mark World Mental Health Day under the theme 'Mental Health for all. Greater Investment -- Greater Access. Everyone, everywhere.' "Making sure that the workplace is a safe environment where we can talk about mental health issues will help mitigate the impact of the pandemic in our personal and professional lives and make us more resilient." (ANI)