KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is reaffirming the urgent need to prioritise mental health as a critical component of the country’s national and business agenda as it joins the global observance of World Mental Health Day.

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10.

“The prevalence of mental health challenges has become more visible in our society, underscoring the reality that behind every workforce statistic is a human being navigating complex personal, social and professional pressures. The business community cannot remain silent or passive,” the PSOJ said.

It continued, “We must recognise mental health not only as a matter of compassion and humanity but also as a strategic imperative for business sustainability, productivity and national development.”

In a statement on Friday, the president and co-chair of the National Values and Attitudes Committee, Metry Seaga, emphasised, “Businesses are uniquely placed to model empathy, provide safe spaces for dialogue and support employees in meaningful ways. By embedding compassion into workplace culture, we help safeguard the dignity, resilience and productivity of our people.”

The PSOJ is therefore calling on the business community to establish workplace mental health protocols, including clear pathways for staff to seek help confidentially; train managers and human resource teams to identify warning signs and respond with sensitivity and professionalism; and offer access to counselling or employee assistance programmes (EAPs), even if through pooled or shared services across sectors.

It added that businesses should integrate mental health awareness into leadership and staff training, ensuring it is treated as a core business competency, not a peripheral issue and champion awareness and advocacy by fostering open conversations that break the stigma and reinforce collective responsibility.

Noting that businesses are communities of people, the PSOJ said that by advancing policies and practices that protect and promote mental wellbeing, the private sector plays a decisive role in shaping a healthier, more resilient and more productive Jamaica.