What Poor Mental Health really Costs At Work ...
... And Why
Now UAE Companies Can’t Afford to Ignore It
Anymore
In today’s fast-paced business environment, mental health is no longer a peripheral concern — it’s central to organisational success.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 12 billion workdays are lost every year due to anxiety and depression. That’s nearly US $1 trillion in productivity gone — quietly and consistently — from our global workforce.
And yet, for many organisations, mental health still falls into the “nice to have” category.
🇦🇪 A UAE Perspective: A Nation That Leads by Example
Since I recently moved to Dubai, I've been exploring local trends and government initiatives around workplace well-being - and I’ve been genuinely impressed.
The Emirates Health Services (EHS) became the first in the world to receive the ISO 45003:2021 certification, setting a global benchmark for psychological health and safety at work.
This isn’t just symbolic. It reflects a growing awareness that
psychological well-being and business performance go hand in hand — and positions the UAE as a progressive leader in this space.
The Real Cost of Ignoring Mental Health
Let’s get practical.
When organisations overlook mental health, they don’t just risk employee burnout. They face:
- Increased absenteeism
- Reduced engagement
- Higher turnover
- Costly mistakes
- Lost innovation
That’s not just a human issue — it’s a leadership and business issue.
🛠️ What Can Organisations Do?
The WHO’s 2022 workplace mental health guidelines are clear and actionable. Companies should focus on:
- Organisational interventions — design roles and workflows that promote balance and clarity
- Manager & team training — build psychological literacy and soft-skill confidence
- Accessible support — make mental health services visible, available, and stigma-free
This isn’t about checking boxes — it’s about creating environments where people can do their best work without sacrificing their health to do it.
🤝 Let’s Build Healthier Workplaces (Without Burning Out Ourselves)
As an expert focused on well-being and mental health, I help organisations and professionals create mentally healthy, emotionally intelligent employees and managers — people who are not only more engaged and loyal, but also resilient enough to perform at their best, even under pressure, and deliver real value to customers.
If you’re curious about how to move beyond “wellness weeks” and into
sustainable programs with real outcomes, I’d love to connect.
No buzzwords. No burnout. Just practical steps and real support.
(And yes, even leaders are allowed to take a deep breath. I promise.)
📍 Based in Dubai | Available globally (on-site or virtual)
👉 Book a consultation to explore if this is a fit for your organisation.
