Decent work significantly contributes to mental health. Poor working conditions, including discrimination, excessive workloads, and job insecurity, can jeopardize mental well-being. In 2023, an estimated 16% of working-age adults were reported to have a mental disorder. Globally, depression and anxiety result in the loss of approximately 12 billion working days annually, costing around 1 trillion USD in lost productivity.

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Nearly 60% of the global population is employed, and all workers have the right to a safe and healthy work environment. When workplaces foster decent work, they provide not only a livelihood but also a sense of confidence, purpose, and opportunities for positive relationships and structured routines. For individuals with mental health conditions, such environments can facilitate recovery, improve confidence, and enhance social functioning.

Conversely, ineffective workplace structures and support can hinder an individual's job performance and attendance, potentially affecting their ability to secure employment. Various psychosocial risks at work can stem from job content, work schedules, or workplace environments. These include underutilization of skills, excessive workloads, inflexible hours, inadequate support, and experiences of discrimination.

Over half of the global workforce operates in the informal economy, where health and safety protections are often absent. Workers in these environments frequently face long hours, unsafe conditions, and discrimination, which can adversely affect their mental health. Psychosocial risks are not confined to specific sectors, but certain roles, particularly in health and humanitarian fields, may amplify exposure to stressors that negatively influence mental well-being.

Economic downturns and public health crises introduce risks such as job loss and financial uncertainty, which can heighten the risk of mental health issues. People dealing with severe mental health conditions often face higher rates of unemployment and inequality in the workplace.

To improve mental health at work, governments, employers, and other stakeholders can implement measures to prevent work-related mental health conditions, enhance workplace safety, and support employees with mental health issues. Effective actions include managing psychosocial risks, offering training to recognize mental health issues, and ensuring reasonable accommodations for those with mental health conditions so they can sustain their employment.

WHO suggests that organizational interventions, such as flexible working arrangements and frameworks for addressing workplace violence, are essential for creating a supportive work environment. Training managers to recognize signs of emotional distress and equipping employees with mental health literacy are also recommended.

Additionally, initiatives such as return-to-work programs and supported employment can facilitate the re-entry of individuals with mental health conditions into the workforce. Collaborative efforts involving workers, their representatives, and stakeholders can help create an enabling environment for change at work.

WHO has outlined strategies within its global health policy to improve mental health in the workplace, emphasizing the need to tackle social determinants of mental health and enhance access to health services. The organization advises that adherence to evidence-based guidelines is necessary for successful interventions aimed at promoting mental health and supporting individuals with mental health conditions throughout their careers.