SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Positivity in the workplace fosters better customer service, innovation, as well as overall engagement, which in turn drives productivity, according to Jacob Drake, a communications expert with over 25 years of experience in strategic corporate branding, government affairs, and crisis management.
In an interview with Aletihad, on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, annually marked on October 10, Drake discussed how businesses can maintain mental health efforts.
"It is about inspiring and activating a sustainable social movement. Mental health in the workplace is crucial because employees spend so much time there, and for companies, it is about understanding the business case — greater productivity and employee retention, " said Drake, who currently heads Karaneef Communications.
He stressed that mental health efforts should not be about treating employees but empowering them to take control of their own wellbeing.
He believes companies can help workers become better individuals, benefiting families, companies, and society.
"We need champions to step up and show a path of integrating mental health into employee development," he noted.
By 2025, Drake predicts that the UAE government and semi-government entities will make significant strides in becoming role models for workplace mental health, transforming workplace culture and purpose.
Addressing the role of government and semi-government sectors, Drake noted their critical influence as the UAE’s largest employers.
“These entities not only employ large workforces but also set standards for the future. Cultural transformation within government bodies, particularly in improving productivity, will be a key focus in 2025," he said.
He added that improving productivity should go together with enabling people, linking mental fitness with physical fitness to boost workplace performance.
"The government will likely lead the way, showing how mental health can drive positive change."
Elaborating on how mental wellbeing directly impacts business productivity, he said: "A healthy workforce reduces absenteeism, which you can measure immediately. But beyond just showing up to work, it is about having a positive mindset, a sense of purpose, and feeling good about the organisation."
When asked about the challenges that hinder investment in mental health initiatives, Drake said: "Companies often face the dilemma of balancing professional development programmes with mental health initiatives, especially given limited resources."
He also stressed that integrating mental fitness into personal and professional development is crucial, while protecting employee privacy and interests remains essential.
Discussing how mental fitness can be integrated into employee development programmes, he noted that it is not about adding a separate programme but enhancing existing engagement and professional development initiatives with mental health components.
He stressed that mental health and professional growth go together, leading to better life choices, improved behaviour management, and greater job satisfaction.
On the topic of culture and retention, Drake explained that creating a supportive environment is essential for retaining talent, especially in competitive sectors.
"Companies cannot just keep paying people more to stay. They need to show genuine commitment to personal and professional development, creating an environment where employees feel valued and supported," he said.
In terms of immediate mental health strategies, Drake advocated for a partnership and integration approach.
He highlighted the need to collaborate with mental health professionals to develop programmes rooted in proven methodologies.
"The programmes we design should not just be about employee engagement but also sensitive to employee concerns about discussing mental health in the workplace," he explained.
Further, Drake discussed how to measure the success of mental health programmes, linking them directly to productivity metrics. "Productivity is a big aspect of this. Companies already have ways to measure their overall output, and mental health initiatives can be tied to those metrics to demonstrate their impact," he said.