From left: Scott Armstrong, Dr Nahida Nayaz Ahmed, Marisa Peer, and May Sayed Ali, at a forum on mental health in the workspace in Dubai. Photos by Neeraj Murali.
Thoughts can be perilous. “Your thoughts shape your emotions, and your emotions drive your actions, which you rationalize because you return to your thoughts,” elucidated Marisa Peer, a therapist and bestselling author of books such as I Am Enough: Mark Your Mirror And Change Your Life. She was part of an episode of the podcast mentlspace live, recorded on October 28 with a live audience at L’Amo Bistro Del Mare in Dubai Harbour. The panel of speakers also included Dr Nahida Nayaz Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer at Sakina, and motivational speaker and wellbeing advocate May Sayed Ali. Scott Armstrong, Founder of mentl.space, hosted the event. The podcast’s tagline was 'Tear Away The Silence', focusing on mental health in the workplace.
Dr Ahmed noted that efforts to tackle mental health in the workplace have been a continuous endeavor in the UAE; this year, the Dubai Health Authority enacted a Mental Health Law that prohibits discrimination against employees with mental health issues. The UAE also introduced a Dh105 Million Mental Health Framework. She emphasized that addressing healthcare must also consider mental wellbeing. “Ignoring it in the workplace has its consequences. People are leaving the workforce or failing to be productive, and there are significant issues with absenteeism and lack of productivity in large corporations and organizations,” she added. “As a government, one of our priorities is constructing that entire pathway. We begin with awareness, promotion, education, and enhancing mental health literacy.” She further explained that rehabilitation does not conclude when a mental health program ends; it is crucial to reintegrate individuals into society. “The government’s focus is on the journey to ensure that this individual completes treatment and has the opportunity to reintegrate,” she explained.
It’s time to cease viewing mental health as a “dirty word”, Peer added, stating that the negativity associated with labels does not benefit anyone. She explained that studies indicate three factors leading to depression: feeling disconnected, lacking meaning and purpose in life, and feeling like one has not made an impact. “A good company would ask, ‘How can I meet all the needs of my employees? Can they feel they have something that gives them meaning and purpose? Do they feel they are contributing?’”
From left: Scott Armstrong, Dr Nahida Nayaz Ahmed, Marisa Peer, and May Sayed Ali, at a forum on mental health in the workspace in Dubai. Photos by Neeraj Murali.
It is thus essential to tackle the root cause of the issue rather than just the depressive symptoms. Being in an environment where you feel you belong and matter can foster resilience, even during low moments. The podcast also highlighted that sadness and depression are distinct. Sayed Ali, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of authenticity on social media. “I always advise people, ‘Share how you feel, talk to someone at work you can be vulnerable with. You don’t have to be vulnerable with the world… but you need to have one person at work you can trust, someone you can return to.” At the workplace, we must create a safe space where we can discuss our vulnerabilities, they added. So, how does one empower people in the workplace? “The simplest and most fundamental thing we can do to make people feel safe is to promote kindness. It’s about going back to basics, teaching people to be kind to each other, like rephrasing their words, rephrasing their attitude towards each other,” says Dr Ahmed.
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