News Desk
First Lady Sajida Mohamed has emphasized the critical need to pay close attention to every individual’s mental health, highlighting that workers bring diverse personal, medical, and family concerns with them to the office every day.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a two-day symposium on enhancing workplace mental health, the First Lady addressed supervisors and managers across the Civil Service.
“Every individual’s mental state requires care and attention,” Sajida said, noting that thousands of public sector employees balancing family obligations, health issues, and children’s education face daily stress that impacts their performance.
The symposium—jointly organized by the National Mental Health Department (NMHD), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and WHO Maldives—aims to equip civil service leadership with practical strategies to support their teams.
Highlighting global data from the World Health Organization, First Lady Sajida pointed out that depression and anxiety cost the global economy approximately 12 billion working days each year, translating to around USD 1 trillion in lost productivity.
The issue hits close to home as well. Citing the 2021 STEPS Survey, she noted that one in every five Maldivians experiences symptoms of depression. She urged administrative heads to actively eliminate discrimination, hostility, and unnecessary strain in work environments.
The First Lady urged participants to use the symposium to develop evidence-based working papers that lead to concrete policy changes. The objective, she stressed, is to transform Maldivian offices into supportive spaces where staff feel respected and members of the public receive high-quality service.
First Lady Sajida reiterated during her address, underlining that fostering a respectful, friendly atmosphere is essential for driving overall productivity.
The opening ceremony was attended by Health Minister Geela Ali, Civil Service Commission President Mohamed Mujthaz, along with senior officials and staff from the Department of Mental Health and various state institutions.
