In our First Iberoamerican Congress Against Burnout we had the participation of Carmen Martinez, mental health advisor of the WHO as a speaker.
In this article we share the exciting news of the First Ibero-American Congress against Burnout, a crucial event in the fight for occupational wellbeing and mental health.
I want to provide you with some informative pills so that you can delve into this important topic and learn about the valuable perspectives that were presented during the congress.
On the day of the congress, we were honored to have the participation of leading experts in the field of mental health and wellness. One of the highlights was the forum entitled "Vision in the face of Burnout", which generated an enriching dialogue on the challenges and solutions needed to address this syndrome.
Among the participants in this forum were Reverend Andres Ramos and Dilcia Ruan, recognized specialists in the field of mental health and work. In addition, we were honored to have the presence of Carmen Martinez, regional mental health advisor for PAHO and WHO, whose valuable words offered us a comprehensive view of burnout and the challenges we face in correcting it.
Carmen Martinez shared various perspectives on burnout syndrome and highlighted the importance of approaching it from multiple angles. Among the highlights of her presentation, the following stood out:
1. Work is considered both a protective factor for mental health and a detrimental factor.
It is essential to fight for decent and safe work, as well as for the right to rest, in order to contribute to changing this situation.
2. Mental health is a global concern, with approximately 1 in 6 people in the world facing mental health-related problems.
In addition, mental disorders represent a high cost to society, with 50% of total expenditures associated with low productivity.
3. Having a healthy work environment, where people have adequate income, personal and professional fulfillment, and a clear purpose, has a direct impact on their mental health.
Work, mental health and psychosocial well-being are closely interconnected.
4. To address the burnout situation, it is necessary to implement concrete measures and to have a multi-sectoral approach.
Only through collaboration and joint work will we be able to achieve results in favor of workers' welfare.
In terms of challenges, Carmen Martinez highlighted the importance of achieving a balance between work life, mental health and wellbeing. She also highlighted the need to combat the lack of information and stigmatization surrounding mental health in the workplace. It is essential to promote active listening and burnout prevention programs.
Awareness raising and training at all levels, as well as the implementation of programs for early detection of situations affecting mental health at work, are other essential measures proposed by Carmen Martinez.
Emphasis was also placed on the importance of providing time, space and rest during the workday, as well as on the right to and observance of vacations.
In conclusion, the First Ibero-American Congress against Burnout has provided us with the valuable point of view of the WHO and PAHO, and the opportunity to reflect on the challenges and solutions needed in the field of labor and mental health.
