The importance of accessible mental health support in Jamaican workplaces cannot be overstated. Mental health challenges, if unaddressed, can significantly hinder productivity, create unsafe working environments, and diminish overall employee well-being.

Research indicates that approximately 15 per cent of working-age adults worldwide experienced a mental health disorder in 2019 alone, with depression and anxiety leading to the loss of an estimated 12 billion working days annually. A supportive work environment can improve staff retention, morale, and productivity while reducing absenteeism.

Though the benefits are obvious, mental health support remains stigmatised in many Jamaican workplaces, influenced by cultural beliefs that often dismiss mental health struggles as personal weaknesses rather than legitimate health concerns. This stigma can prevent employees from seeking help, worsening conditions and undermining professional performance.

Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Kevin Goulbourne, said that employees spend the majority of their time at the workplace, and if the environment is unhealthy, this can result in negative outcomes.

“If the workplace is very toxic, it can cause emotional unwellness, decrease productivity, cause absenteeism, high turnover of the staff population, and people become demotivated and disengaged,” he said.

Dr Goulbourne stressed the necessity for managers and supervisors at all workplace levels to possess strong interpersonal skills.

“They need to understand how to communicate effectively with employees, foster engagement, and involve them in workplace matters,” he explained, highlighting that employees are generally more receptive to changes when included in decision-making.

He added that when decisions are imposed without consultation, it often leads to resentment and resistance, even if the decision itself is beneficial.

To break these barriers, companies must implement strategies such as mental health literacy training, manager education on recognising emotional distress, and policies that promote work-life balance. Additionally, creating spaces where mental health can be discussed without fear of discrimination is essential for fostering a healthier workplace culture.

Some Jamaican employees respond to the prompt: Do you believe your company cares about your mental health?

“I work for a company that finds it hard to give me my vacation leave,” Jared, 30, told Our Today. “Sometimes I really need the break. Sometimes my body tells me I need the rest, but I am told the company needs me more.”

“No, they don’t care,” Sandra, 25 responded. “And right now if I told my employer that the way they operate is negatively affecting me, or that I have mental health issues separate and apart from the business and need some consideration when I’m at work to avoid certain triggers, I know I’d be labelled as mad or difficult.”

“My company does not care about my mental health at all,” said Rodney, 31. “The lack of communication, workload and lack of appreciation has been very hard on me. On top of that, the pay does not match the amount of work they require of me. At the end of the day, when mi mad out, them a guh simply replace me.”

“Nope,” said Jordan, 31, “and this is why I have no allegiance to any entity.”

Governmental support is immensely necessary to drive systemic change. Legislative reforms encouraging crisis intervention programmes and workplace mental health policies can create safer, healthier work environments across the island.

I believe that normalising and destigmatising mental health care and providing proper resources can encourage Jamaican workers, leading to both personal well-being and economic growth. A mentally healthy workforce is not just a benefit but a necessity for national development.

Mental health training for employers must be made mandatory.