MENTAL health has become one of the most pressing global concerns, driven by a growing rise in workplace stress, a problem that lowers productivity, increases absenteeism, damages relationships among employees and in some cases drives workers to quit altogether.

By Correspondent Grace Mwakalinga

MENTAL health has become one of the most pressing global concerns, driven by a growing rise in workplace stress, a problem that lowers productivity, increases absenteeism, damages relationships among employees and in some cases drives workers to quit altogether.

Mental health experts say the problem isn't caused by working conditions alone, but by how individuals perceive and interpret the events they encounter daily.

Two people can go through the exact same situation, yet one sees it as an ordinary challenge while the other experiences it as a serious threat to their wellbeing.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated one billion people worldwide live with some form of mental health condition, with stress, anxiety and depression among the disorders affecting working-age adults the most.

Estimates by both, WHO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows that depression and anxiety cause the loss of more than 12 billion working days globally each year, costing the world economy close to one trillion US dollars in lost productivity.Tanzania is not immuneIn Tanzania, research on workplace mental health remains limited, but the Ministry of Health continues to stress the importance of investing in mental health services, citing a growing number of people seeking psychological counselling and treatment for mental illness.

Ministry data shows that approximately seven million people in Tanzania live with some form of mental health challenge, while globally more than a billion people are affected, primarily through stress and depression.

The government continues to take steps to address the situation, including encouraging employers to create safe environments that allow workers to seek help early when facing psychological difficulties.

Psychologist and Child Development Specialist, Eva Msaki told The Guardian that many people assume workplace stress is caused purely by a heavy workload, when in reality, how a person perceives a problem plays a much bigger role.

She explains that one employee might be given a task with a tight deadline and sees it as a normal challenge, while another may feel overwhelmed by what feels like an impossible burden, leading to anxiety, insomnia and an inability to make decisions

“Much of what causes mental strain comes down to how a person perceives the weight of a problem in their own life. Two people can face the same situation, but one sees it as ordinary while the other consider it a serious one”, Msaki says.Ways to copeAccording to Msaki, workplace environments can bring out differences shaped by upbringing and personal outlook. An employee might struggle to get along with a colleague simply because that colleague's behaviour doesn't match their own values or expectations.

She notes that such conflicts are often built more on how people interpret each other's actions than on the actions themselves.

“Sometimes you work with someone in the same department, but you interpret their behaviour differently depending on how you were raised or what you believe. That's often where stress begins to build.”

She adds that some people were raised to believe that being turned down equals being devalued, that hearing ‘no’ is a form of disrespect, or that asking for help is a sign of weakness. These beliefs heighten internal pressure whenever they encounter situations that conflict with their expectations.The struggle to say noAnother factor fuelling workplace stress, Msaki says, is the inability to set boundaries.

“Some people are afraid to say no because they believe it will make them look uncooperative. As a result, they take on more responsibilities than they can realistically manage”.

An employee might be assigned a task with a strict deadline while already juggling other responsibilities and personal goals. Unable to decline, they end up under intense pressure that can take a toll on their mental health.Warning signs of workplace stressAccording to WHO and the American Psychological Association (APA), along with other mental health experts, states that an employee may be experiencing workplace stress including persistent exhaustion even after rest; insomnia or excessive sleeping; reduced concentration and difficulty making decisions; irritability and unusual anger; loss of motivation at work; increased mistakes on the job; withdrawal from colleagues; unexplained headaches, stomach pain or muscle aches with no clear medical cause; and constant worry or anxiety about work.A smile doesn't always mean someone is fineMsaki warns against assuming that someone who appears relaxed isn't struggling.

"Sometimes you see someone smiling, saying they're fine, but you don't know what they're thinking when they're alone. Inside, they could be in real pain."

That's why, she says, it's important for leaders and colleagues to build a culture of checking in with one another rather than drawing conclusions based on outward appearances.

"Before assuming a colleague is fine just because they seem calm, sit down and ask how they're really doing. A simple conversation can prevent a problem from growing."

According to the ILO, poor mental health increases workplace absenteeism, accidents, conflict among staff, loss of skilled employees, and reduced innovation.

Organisations that invest in employee mental wellbeing, on the other hand, tend to see higher productivity, stronger workplace relationships, and lower costs linked to absenteeism and treatment.How to protect yourselfMsaki says the first step is recognising that not every burden needs to be carried alone. She advises employees to evaluate problems calmly before assigning them too much weight, to build the confidence to say no when necessary, to ask for help when needed, and to learn techniques for managing their emotions.

She also stresses the value of talking to someone with a different perspective, which can help reveal solutions that weren't obvious at first.

"Talking to someone else can offer a different way of looking at the problem. That alone can lighten the load you've been carrying in your head."

For those experiencing on-going symptoms of stress, she recommends seeking help from a psychologist or mental health professional early, before the situation worsens.Employer’s responsibilityExperts say employers should ensure an environment that allow open communication, listen to employees' concerns, assign manageable workloads, and encourage the use of counselling services.

According to WHO, every dollar invested in treating depression and anxiety yields an estimated return of about four dollars through improved health and productivity.

Given all this, mental health should not be treated as a purely personal issue for employees to manage on their own, it is a critical part of institutional development.

The more employers and employees invest in building environments with open communication, mutual respect, and access to early professional support, the more they will reduce the effects of workplace stress and boost overall productivity.