On the occasion of World Mental Health Day 2020, a seminar was held on 10 October 2020 at the National Press Club in collaboration with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies (BILS), SAJIDA Foundation and RMG Centre. The seminar was moderated by Mr. Mehdi Mahbub, President of Bangladesh RMG Centre.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) theme for the day this year is “Mental Health for all — Greater Investment, Greater Access, Everyone, Everywhere.”
Mr. Nazrul Islam Khan, Secretary General and Executive Director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) welcomed the participants. He emphasized on how Readymade Garment (RMG) industry has a paramount importance in the economy of Bangladesh as the total employment in this sector is about 4 million. There are labour laws pertinent to health issues of garment workers in Bangladesh. He also highlighted the importance of mental health stressed the need for ensuring mental health to all for their betterment.
The keynote speaker was Ms. Rubina Jahan, Clinical Psychologist and Senior Manager of SAJIDA Mental Health Program (SMHP).
Ms. Rubina Jahan, a mental health expert, defined mental health as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes their own potential, cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.
The primary responsibility of a manager is to create the conditions for people to do their best work, but because failing to take care of employee mental health and wellbeing can have a ripple effect throughout their organization. A healthy workplace is essential for workforce mental health and can be achieved when workers and managers actively contribute to the working environment by promoting and protecting the health, safety and well-being of all employees.
A negative working environment may lead to physical and mental health problems, absenteeism and lost productivity. According to the report released by the Lancet Commission, mental illness will cost the global economy $16 trillion by 2030.
In Bangladesh, only about 0.5% of the total health budget is allocated to mental health which is very much insignificant considering the total population size of 170 million, a large number of whom do need mental health attention.
Workplaces that promote mental health and support people with mental disorders are more likely to reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and benefit from associated economic gains. The personal toll on employees and the financial cost to companies could be eased if a greater proportion of workers who need treatment were able to receive it. When mental issues are adequately treated, companies reduce job-related accidents, sick days, and employee turnover, as well as improve the number of hours worked and employee productivity. Ms. Jahan advised employees and employers to think of mental health care as an investment — one that’s worth the up-front time and cost. A critical meta-analysis of the literature on costs and savings suggested that medical costs fall by about $3.27 and absenteeism costs fall by about $2.73 for every dollar spent on wellness programs.
Ms. Jahan dwelt with an integrated approach to invest in workforce mental health that will reduce work-related risk factors and develop the positive aspects of work as well as worker strengths and positive capacities. She suggested to integrate mental health facilities in overall health policy, create and maintain dedicated, quiet spaces for relaxation activities, seminars or workshops that address depression and stress management techniques and make mental health self-assessment tools available to all employees.
After the keynote and technical paper presentation, Mr. Mehdi Mahbub started a panel discussion with expert discussants including Ms. Monira Rahman, Executive Director of Innovation for Wellbeing Foundation & Country Lead of Mental Health First Aid, Ms. Towhida Shiropa, Founder & CEO of Moner Bondhu, Mr. Md. Monzurul Karim, Senior Executive of Fakir Apparels Ltd.
Mr. Mehdi Mahbub acknowledged the importance of work stress. With the panel discussion, he emphasized to move towards a culture where we can prioritize the importance of self-care, better manage stress, and enhance physical and mental well-being for ourselves and our teams.
Ms. Towhida Shiropa highlighted how COVID-19 is challenging the mental health of worker. She introduced her platform, Moner Bondhu, that provides care for psychological well-being. Their services enable people to have healthy relationships in life, through mutual trust, tolerance and respect. According to their website, a national survey reported that 16.05 percent of the adult population in Bangladesh suffers from mental health disorders and that in every 100,000 people, nearly 15 die from suicide. While this project began as an experiment for both BGMEA and the Moner Bondhu team, in just 6 months and across 50 factories, over 10,000 workers have had access to such care. Multiple workshops around Gazipur, Savar, and Ashulia were also conducted to raise awareness. Once the project took off, not only the workers, but members of the management in these factories came forward to help or ask for help as well. “They found relief in meditation and the gratitude expressing exercises we did, and said they’d never known such activities even existed,” adds Tawhida.
Ms. Monira Rahman explained the difference between mental health and mental illness. Like physical health, everyone has mental health. Physical health is the state of your body, and mental health is the state of your mind, feelings and emotions. While mental health is always there and may be positive or negative, mental illness affects a person’s ability to function over a long period of time. She also explained the importance of counselling to avoid chronic illness.
Over recent years, mental health has slowly moved out of the shadows. After centuries of being sidelined, our state of mental well-being is gradually receiving more of the attention that it deserves. There are still misconceptions of mental health at today’s society. People shy away from sharing their problem which is very ordinary in global scenarios. Bangladesh should emphasis on this.
Nearly 17% of adults in Bangladesh are suffering from mental health issues, where 16.8% are man and 17 % are woman, and among them 92.3% do not seek medical attention. When people face problem with mental disorder, the researchers said, 5.7% of them think if they visit psychiatrists, they might treated as mad.
To improve the mental health services further, well-designed clinical and epidemiological research is needed. Ms. Monira Rahman put forth some recommendations including extensive awareness program involving electronic and printing media, distribution of Education and Communication materials, extensive training of PHC staffs, religious leaders and teachers, upgradation of MBBS curriculum with inclusion of psychiatry in an optimum stake, psychiatric unit at district level, development of psychiatry unit in all medical colleges, supply psychotropic in primary and secondary health care level institutes, an administrative wing under a separate director in Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on urgent basis, and develop an effective strategic plan according the disease burden.
With the introduction of workplace training and center for mental healh in Fakir Apparels Ltd, absenteeism has reduced from 12% to 5%. Mr. Md. Monzurul Karim shared the benefits in better working environment at Fakir Apparels due to introduction of a few measures that take care workers mental health.
Speaking as a guest, Mr. Hanifur Rahman, Chairman of Heath Standing Committee, BGMEA, said that awareness of mental health has to be increased from the primary to tertiary level. It should have to work to eliminate social stigma or taboo for getting treatment for mental issues by various programs and activities. They have formulated Mental Health Act and will obviously try to solve the shortage of psychiatrist problem. BGMEA and Common Health signed a collaborative agreement to provide free telemedicine doctor consultations for garment workers. More than 500 garment factories in the country have registered themselves for opting green or environment-friendly production facilities, and these units are proceeding towards ensuring long-term sustainability. There are also health insurance for garments workers.
Mr. Jamal Uddin of Inclusive Business Advisor, RMG Inclusive Business Programs, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation gave his closing remarks to come to a common understanding that mental health doesn’t happen only to workers but to everyone. He emphasized the importance of mental health in workforce for the overall betterment of business as well as society.
Covered & Written by Cyrus Anushirvan Faizi
