The Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has called on its staff to pay attention to their mental health in order to remain productive employees and useful individuals to their families and society at large.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Biodun Onayele gave the charge during a two-day training session organised for all members of staff, held at the STO Resource Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, adding that discussions around Mental Health should be approached as a tangible reality that affects everyone as every individual carries dreams, hopes, fears, and aspirations.
He stressed that just as government employees strive to foster an environment of innovation, collaboration, and growth, they must also work together to create a safe space for conversations about mental health.
In his words, “This programme is not just another event on our calendar; it is a call to action. It is an opportunity for us to come together as a team, to share our experiences, to learn from experts in the field, and to equip ourselves with tools that will help us navigate the complex landscape of mental well-being”.
Onayele urged the participants at the training to ensure that the advocacy on mental health awareness doesn’t end with the programme, rather, it should be seen as a catalyst for ongoing efforts to prioritise and promote emotional well-being within the workplace, assuring that “Just as we invest in professional development, we shall also invest in nurturing the health of our minds and hearts”.
The Permanent Secretary expressed the hope that the collective efforts of all relevant stakeholders in mental health wellness will ensure a future where mental health is not just an awareness programme but an integral part of our identity as a compassionate and supportive community.
On her part, the Director of Admin and Human Resources of the Ministry, Mrs. Aderonke Bello stated that the training was organised to further draw the attention of the staff to the need to pay attention to issues of mental health and well-being, in view of recent happenings.
She informed that the training underscores the Ministry’s commitment to dismantling mental health stigma and navigating, nurturing empathy and understanding and how to achieve premium mental well-being without bias.
Making a Presentation on “Emotional Wellness and Resilience”, the Team Lead of Tessspsyche Consult, the Ministry’s training consultant on Mental Health well-being, Dr. Tayo Ajirotutu maintained that achieving mental health balance/integration at work and personal life allows individuals to perform optimally in both areas and improve mental health, especially in a megacity like Lagos.
He advocated self-management, effective time management, stress management, change management, technology management and leisure management for individuals to achieve work-life balance.
Dr. Ajirotutu said that it is important that every organisation that cares about the well-being of their employees make proper provisions for their staff to be exposed to mental health wellness programmes.