There is a correlation between mental health and non-communicable diseases. What is more alarming is the revelation that 80 per cent of deaths in this country are because of NCDs.

Houston, we have a problem. It's a very big one. It is a known fact that NCDs are a burden on the nation, its health system, families and the labour force. To make it worse, failure to deal with mental health in workplaces is contributing to this.

Stress and depression from workplaces often lead to unhealthy habits. This has been scientifically proven and there is a call to bring a change in the workplace to deal with the mental health of employees.

It is true what Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has said. Mental health is not something that exists in isolation. It is deeply tied to every part of our lives, including the workplace.

“The workplace is where we spend a large part of our days. It is where we contribute to our communities, earn a living, and grow professionally. But the workplace can also be a source of stress, anxiety, and pressure,” she said.

In Samoa, the demands of work, the increasing pace of change, and the responsibilities, whether as employees or leaders can take a toll on mental well-being. When stress becomes overwhelming and mental health is not prioritised, the results are clear. There will be a decrease in productivity, an increase in absenteeism, and a general decline in workplace morale.

However, mental health challenges do not just impact the workplace, they impact individuals, families, and communities. When an employee is struggling mentally, it affects their ability to engage fully at work, their relationships at home, and their overall quality of life.

All workers have the right to a safe and healthy environment at work. Work can protect mental health. Decent work supports good mental health by providing a livelihood, a sense of confidence, purpose and achievement, an opportunity for positive relationships and inclusion in a community and a platform for structured routines, among many other benefits.

For people with mental health conditions, decent work can contribute to recovery and inclusion, and improve confidence and social functioning.

Safe and healthy working environments are not only a fundamental right but are also more likely to minimise tension and conflicts at work and improve staff retention, work performance and productivity. Conversely, a lack of effective structures and support at work, especially for those living with mental health conditions, can affect a person’s ability to enjoy their work and do their job well; it can undermine people’s attendance at work and even stop people getting a job in the first place.

At work, risks to mental health, also called psychosocial risks, may be related to job content or work schedule, specific characteristics of the workplace or opportunities for career development among other things.

The World Health Organisation recommends the government, employers, and the organisations which represent workers and employers, and other stakeholders responsible for workers’ health and safety improve mental health at work.

They need to prevent work-related mental health conditions by preventing the risks to mental health at work and protect and promote mental health at work. Workers with mental health conditions need support to participate and thrive in work and employers need to create an enabling environment for change.

Mental health is described as a state of well-being where a person can cope with the normal stresses of life. This state permits productive work output and allows for meaningful contributions to society.

Don’t we want this for Samoa? A more productive society where all aspects of health, mental and physical are looked after.

We all know that different circumstances exist affecting the ability to handle life’s curveballs. These factors may also disrupt daily activities, and the capacity to manage these changes. That is why mental health should be a priority for the health system and the education sector.

Our children are also faced with difficulties every day and it has been exacerbated by social media.

Our society does not identify depression, anxiety and stress as mental health issues when they are.

Samoa needs a robust change in its health service delivery and workplace policies to address mental health.