World Mental Health Day 2024 - "Mental Health at Work" ~ W A L S Imali

World Mental Health Day 2024 - "Mental Health at Work" ~ W A L S Imali (B.com, HDCP, B.sc. Psychology (Reading)

 

This year's World Mental Health Day theme is "Mental Health at Work." The World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting the important connection between mental health and the workplace.

Safe and supportive work environments help to protect mental well-being that involves psychological resilience, emotional stability and cognitive performance within a professional setting. It refers to one's mental well-being while overcoming the challenges and demands of their job. Maintaining optimal mental health at work involves by creating a favorable environment that promotes positivity, reduces stressors and improves well-being. 

However, issues like stigma, discrimination, harassment and poor working conditions can seriously harm mental health. These problems can affect a person's quality of life, their ability to participate in work and overall productivity.

Employers and policymakers play a vital role in implementing strategies to prevent work-related mental health conditions, protect employees' mental health and support individuals with mental health challenges effectively. By investing in mental health literacy programs, promoting work-life balance and offering resources for mental health support, organizations can promote a culture of well-being and productivity in the workplace.

Additionally, adopting an inclusive and supportive workplace environment where employees feel valued and respected can significantly enhance mental health outcomes. Encouraging open communication, providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with mental health conditions and promoting psychological safety are essential components of a mentally healthy workplace. 

         Overall, prioritizing mental health at work benefits employees' well-being and contributes to a more engaged, strong and productive workforce for the organization.

Resources: World Health Organization. 

"Brainwash yourself before someone else does" ~ W A Lasitha Imali

Human brains easily absorb external opinions and suggestions, often adopting them. Brainwashing is a process of manipulating or influencing most of our thoughts, beliefs and behaviors using various techniques.

Historically, brainwashing has been associated with controlling individuals or groups for political or religious purposes. It is considered a psychological manipulation that controls an individual's autonomy and critical thinking abilities.

Under Mao Zedong's leadership, his Red Army used different techniques to shape the beliefs and attitudes of Chinese people during the Korean War (1950-1953), even though the term may not have been used in the context of Chinese history. However, journalist Edward Hunter described how Mao Zedong’s Red Army used terrifying ancient techniques to turn the Chinese people into mindless Communist automatons (Boissoneault, 2023). Hunter was the first person to introduce this hypnotic process as “brainwashing”.

The concept of brainwashing renewed public attention from 1969 to 1971 because of the case of Charles Manson, who was said to have brainwashed his followers to commit murder. Manson had become the leader of a religious cult dedicated to studying eccentric religious teachings (Jenkins, 2024). However, his followers carried out several murders on Manson’s orders. Manson isolated his followers from their families, friends and the outside world. He used fear tactics and threats to maintain control over his followers, and at the same time, he used hallucinogenic drugs to alter their consciousness.

Similar to Manson's story, a mass suicide incited by an extremist religious cult shocked Sri Lankans a few months back (Death Cult Leader’s Suicide and the Advent of Maithree Buddha Imposter, 2024). Ruwan Prasanna Gunarathna is claimed to be the suspect leader of this cult. He manipulated his cult members using authority, vulnerability, isolation, repetitive instructions, emotional threats and the misuse of cultural and religious beliefs. He introduced suicide as a path to salvation. He committed suicide himself, exemplifying his teachings and demonstrating his commitment, which became a powerful motivation for other members to accept his command to commit suicide and seek relief.

Overcoming brainwashing or undue influence from someone else can be challenging, as humans are social animals and cannot fully avoid societal influence. The only thing we can do is actively participate in shaping our own thoughts. To avoid such unwanted influences and suffering, we should practice self-suggestion, develop critical thinking, establish boundaries with people who have previously manipulated and focus on rebuilding self and autonomy by brainwashing ourselves before someone else does.

References

Boissoneault, L. (2023, October 26). The true story of brainwashing and how it shaped America. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-story-brainwashing-and-how-it-shaped-america-180963400/

Death cult leader’s suicide and the advent of Maithree Buddha imposter. (2024). Print Edition - the Sunday Times, Sri Lanka. https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240114/columns/death-cult-leaders-suicide-and-the-advent-of-maithree-buddha-imposter-545187.html

Jenkins, J. P. (2024, June 16). Charles Manson | Biography, Murders, Family, Sharon Tate, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Manson