IN COMMEMORATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS 2024 WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY.
THEME: “PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORK PLACE”
This United Nations theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day 2024 is “PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORK PLACE”. I remember many years ago, the Nigeria External Telecommunications Limited was the only organization that provided international telephone services in the country. This was in the mid-1980s and the Mobile phone technology had not yet been launched. However, the country had then acquired and launched the state-of-the-art digital network communication system which involved the application of computer and satellite systems in telephone service provision and was hugely celebrated at the time. The down side of this technology was that huge air conditioners were installed in the hall to keep the temperature very low with the attendant health implications to the workers. To contend with the cold, workers had to provide personal cold wears in addition to the ones the management provided. Going to work was a great concern to many workers. On one occasion, a senior supervisor told the workers that the air conditioners were not provided for the people but for the digital telecom equipments. The fact was that no ergonomic man-machine inter-relation was factored into the original project plan. Of course, this is not the situation today, as telephony technology has modernized in the country.
Ergonomics involves the interrelation between man, machine and the work environment to eliminate inherent discomforts and risks of injury due to work. Added to ergonomic factors are internal politics, relationship conflicts, management styles and its mental impacts on workers, work process and productivity. The impact of dismissals, retirements, harassments, discriminatory practices and their impacts cannot be overlooked. The opposite of the above could be the healthy and supportive organizational structure, workplace camaraderie, ergonomic environment, various levels of appreciation for work well done etcetera.
In commemoration of this year’s event, the Rotary Club District 9127 Abuja, Nigeria held its first Mental Health workshop and the president of the Association of Christian Counsellors of Nigeria (Rev. Dr. Ronald King – Trauma therapist, Mental health Coach and Professional Counsellor) was one of the guest speakers at the workshop (Power point lecture attached). The activities of the commemoration included Events/Road shows to create Mental Health Awareness and ended with a public lecture on “PRIORITIZING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORK-PLACE” at the Rotary Club building, in Abuja, Nigeria.
2024 MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS ACTIVITIES IN PICTURES
A walk for Mental Health is Supportive – Rotary Club District 9127 Abuja takes the lead.
The Road show (2)
The Road-Show
Guest speakers at the workshop.
After the Lectures.
At the lecture hall.
More pictures at the lecture hall.
After the Mental health lectures.
Rotary members with the ACCN president.
Rotary Members at the Rotary Hall (building) Abuja.
