Exhausting working hours are among the factors that increase the risk of problems related to mental health
The report “Economics of Burnout: Poverty and Mental Health”, by the United Nations, points out that people in poverty are 3 times more likely to develop mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. According to the document, around 11% of the world’s population suffers from some mental disorder.
According to the UN special rapporteur and author of the report, Olivier De Schutter, this scenario is related to the obsession with economic growth and the search for wealth, leading people to undergo exhausting working hours and precarious working conditions.
“The more unequal a society is, the more middle class people fear falling into poverty and as a result they develop stress, depression and anxiety”stated the rapporteur.
24-hour workday
According to the rapporteur, the main risk factor is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when the worker is available on demand, and cites workers working on applications and digital platforms as examples.
De Schutter states that this logic “results in very variable working hours, which makes it very difficult to maintain an adequate balance between family life and professional life”. Uncertainty regarding working hours and the number of hours to work become major drivers of depression and anxiety.
Another factor that generates disorders is climate anxiety. Studies show that floods, extreme droughts and storms destroy the population’s sources of income, causing financial insecurity and anxiety.
Actions
The study proposes that governments adopt measures that reduce inequalities and insecurities, such as universal basic income policies (minimum amount to which everyone would be entitled to eliminate the threat of poverty), support for the social and solidarity economy and changes in the world of work.
The rapporteur informed that non-governmental organizations, unions, social movements and academics are working to present alternatives to economic growth in line with the eradication of poverty, scheduled to be presented in 2025.
With information from .
