Prioritising mental health in the workplace isn’t just compassionate; it’s a fundamental investment that can foster productivity, resilience, innovation, and a culture where everyone can thrive both personally and professionally.

The public surveys conducted in the MENA region in 2021 indicate a significant prevalence of stress among respondents, with approximately 40% reporting ongoing periods of stress in their lives. Within the GCC, recent surveys reveal that a substantial portion—no less than 30%—of employees are grappling with burnout symptoms. These symptoms encompass severe fatigue and a diminished capacity to regulate their emotions effectively.

In this episode of the Anticipate Podcast, Stephen Longworth, Digital Lead at WSP in the Middle East is joined by Stephen Haynes, Director of Wellbeing at the British Safety Council and Simon Cutts, Director of Health, Safety, and Environment at WSP in the Middle East. Together, they shed light on the organisational best practices for nurturing a mentally healthy work environment and the steps that both individuals and organisations can take to elevate mental health in the workplace.

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00:50 – A brief introduction about our guest speakers’ background and career

01:53 – Definition of mental health, and its impact on psychological well-being, and social aspects

03:31 – Best practices for supporting mental health in the workplace

06:32 – Reflections on the importance of genuine commitment to mental health programmes

07:44 – A discussion on the tools and practices implemented by WSP Middle East for mental health support

12:08 – The challenges and barriers facing the spreading of awareness about mental health in the workplace

19:28 – Priority issues and their impacts on employees and organizations

23:05 – The importance of communication, particularly in large, multi-discipline, and often remote projects.

24:31 – How to promote mental health in the workforce taking into account cultural challenges and diversity and inclusion

34:44 – Personal experiences by both guest speakers and a discussion on the stigma around mental health.

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