First Lady Calls for Greater Focus on Mental Wellbeing in Civil Service

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has called for greater attention to the mental wellbeing of civil servants, stressing that employees often carry personal, family and health-related challenges with them into the workplace.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day Seminar on Workplace Mental Wellbeing, the First Lady said mental wellbeing should be treated as an important aspect of a healthy and productive working environment.

The seminar, organised by the National Mental Health Department (NMHD) in collaboration with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Maldives, is aimed at supervisors and managers working across the Civil Service.

In her remarks, First Lady Sajidha highlighted the responsibility of institutions to ensure that the thousands of people serving in the Civil Service have access to supportive and respectful workplaces.

She noted that employees do not arrive at work leaving their personal concerns behind, but may be dealing with family responsibilities, health issues, financial pressures and concerns about their children’s education while carrying out their professional duties.

Referring to WHO statistics, the First Lady said depression and anxiety contribute to the loss of around 12 billion working days globally each year, resulting in an estimated USD 1 trillion in lost productivity.

She also highlighted findings from the 2021 STEPS Survey, which indicated that around one in five people in the Maldives experiences symptoms of depression. She stressed the need to address workplace stress and discrimination as part of wider efforts to improve mental wellbeing.

First Lady Sajidha expressed hope that the seminar would result in practical, evidence-based recommendations that can be applied within workplaces. She emphasised that institutions should work towards creating environments where employees feel supported and where those seeking mental health services are treated with understanding and compassion.

She further called for greater mutual respect and stronger relationships among employees, noting that a workplace built on understanding and camaraderie can contribute to improved productivity and overall organisational performance.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali, Civil Service Commission President Uz. Mohamed Mujthaz, senior officials and staff of the NMHD, and senior officials from various government institutions.