Almost 46 percent of public employees consume psychoactive drugs (anxiolytics, antidepressants and sleeping pills, among others) practically daily to take care of their mental health, according to a survey carried out by the Independent Trade Union Center and Civil Servants (CSIF).
The majority profile is that of a woman of practically all age ranges
The survey, called ‘How do you feel?’ and is presented on the occasion of the European Week of Safety and Health at Work, it is focused on measures to promote mental health and occupational well-being of public employees, and has been carried out through interviews with more than 6,300 people who work in different areas of public administrations (General Administration of the State and the autonomous communities, town councils, Education, Health, Justice and public companies).
The daily consumption of these drugs is almost generalized, according to the CSIF study, in all areas of administration. The majority profile is that of a woman of practically all age ranges (between 35 and 67 years old), a public health worker, in the administration or in an educational center, who consumes anxiolytics to endure work overload, lack of recognition, difficulty in conciliation, discrimination for health reasons, conflict between colleagues, harassment and lack of digital disconnection.
Survey data
76 percent of public employees openly acknowledge that their mental health suffers from working conditions, the main circumstance that leads to the consumption of psychotropic drugs. In this sense, the most consumed are: anxiolytics and hypnosedatives (71 percent of those who recognize their use), antidepressants (12 percent) and other substances (17 percent). Specifically, the most frequently mentioned reasons are an excessive workload, lack of digital disconnection, poor quality of leadership, lack of support, conflicts between colleagues and work stress.
Furthermore, 60 percent recognize that they need psychological help, but only 38 percent obtain it, in most cases paying for it themselves; and more than two-thirds of public employees (67 percent) reveal that in the last year no action related to the promotion of mental health and protection against psychosocial risks has been carried out in their workplace.
Lack of support
This data shows the lack of support from the Administration, since the majority of workplaces do not have measures against psychosocial risks and psychological support, which is why the Occupational Risk Prevention Law is violated due to the lack of safety measures. protection of professionals.
As a consequence of this study, CSIF has started the campaign ‘Breaking down mental health stigmas in the workplace’ in all workplaces to raise awareness among workers about the importance of mental health and encouraging them to take care of it, reporting to the Inspection of Labor and the health and safety committees any non-compliance in Occupational Risk Prevention regarding health and requesting plans for health promotion and prevention of suicidal behavior.
CSIF has the ‘CSIF Help’ office where it provides legal support and psychological guidance to workers who need it in the workplace.
The keys
CSIF demands that the Government adopt urgent measures in the field of mental health, among which are:
- More budget for public health services to increase the number of mental health professionals. Specifically, we demand an increase in clinical psychologists in Primary and Specialized Care centers.
- Expand the specialty places in Occupational Medicine in the annual calls for Specialized Health Training.
- Increase human resources in the administrations’ prevention services.
Health coordination
- Develop interdisciplinary coordination mechanisms between primary care, mental health, mutual and prevention services to offer in a network of professional socio-health support.
- Update of the table of occupational diseases, including ‘burnout’ and other behavioral disorders.
- Effective recognition of mental disorders as a cause of workplace accidents (currently recognized as a common contingency).
Psychological support
- Free psychological support programs for employees in the workplace.
- training programs in emotional management and mental health aimed at workers.
- Awareness campaigns to reduce stigmatization, raise awareness about the importance of mental health and promote a compassionate and inclusive culture.
- Effective protocols for preventing harassment, discrimination and violence.
- Implementation of rehabilitation policies and progressive return to work (effective application of articles 22 and 25 of the Occupational Risk Prevention Law).