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10 October, 2000Mental health policies and programmes affecting the workforce in Finland, Germany, Poland, the UK and US are examined by the ILO.
GENEVA: Job-related anxiety, stress, burnout and depression are affecting as many as one out of ten workers worldwide. According to a report of the International Labour Organisation, released on October 10, 2000, the incidence of mental health problems, which sometimes lead to unemployment and hospitalisation, is on the increase, as are the costs.
The ILO study estimates that "anywhere from 3%-4% of GNP is spent on mental health problems in the European Union. In the US, the national spending associated with treatment of depression ranges between US$30 to US$44 billion. In many countries, early retirement due to mental health difficulties is increasing to the point where they are becoming the most common reason for allocating disability pensions."
Workers are being forced to confront endless new technologies and methods of work organisation due to constantly rising productivity requirements. The impact of information technology has accelerated competition and, says the report, "it is therefore not surprising that more and more cases of disability are related to developing chronic conditions such as depression and work-induced stress."
For additional information concerning this study, entitled Mental Health in the Workplace: Introduction (ISBN 92-2-112223-9), access the ILO website on the associated link, or write to the ILO, 4 route des Morillons, 1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland.
The ILO study estimates that "anywhere from 3%-4% of GNP is spent on mental health problems in the European Union. In the US, the national spending associated with treatment of depression ranges between US$30 to US$44 billion. In many countries, early retirement due to mental health difficulties is increasing to the point where they are becoming the most common reason for allocating disability pensions."
Workers are being forced to confront endless new technologies and methods of work organisation due to constantly rising productivity requirements. The impact of information technology has accelerated competition and, says the report, "it is therefore not surprising that more and more cases of disability are related to developing chronic conditions such as depression and work-induced stress."
For additional information concerning this study, entitled Mental Health in the Workplace: Introduction (ISBN 92-2-112223-9), access the ILO website on the associated link, or write to the ILO, 4 route des Morillons, 1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland.