Within the framework of the OIC Occupational Safety and Health Network (OIC-OSHNET) and SESRIC Occupational Safety and Health Capacity Building Programme (OSH-CaB), the Centre, as the OIC Technical Coordinator of OIC-OSHNET, collaborated with the Directorate General of Occupational Safety and Health (DGOSH) at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the Republic of Türkiye, as the Secretariat of the Network. Together, they organised a Webinar on “Strategies to Support Mental Health at Work” on 22 February 2024. The webinar was attended by 65 officials from national OSH authorities and related institutions in 18 OIC member countries.

It aimed to share best practices and case studies that demonstrate successful strategies for integrating mental health into existing OSH frameworks. The webinar also sought to raise awareness of the importance of mental health in occupational health and safety, highlighting its impact on individual well-being, productivity, and overall workplace dynamics.

Distinguished speakers representing the national OSH authorities of Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar, Tunisia, and Türkiye delivered comprehensive presentations throughout the webinar. They outlined approaches, policies, and frameworks implemented by their countries regarding mental health in the work place. Additionally, a representative from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) detailed its activities and initiatives in the field.

The webinar included the following topics:

• Psychosocial Risks and Mental Health at Work in Europe
• Mental Health Program for Workers in the Workplace in Indonesia
• Your Mind Matters: Fostering a Healthy Work Environment in Qatar
• Promoting Mental Health at Work in Tunisia: Experience of the Institute of Health and Safety at Work
• Workplace Mental Health in Malaysia
• The Role of the Ministry of Health of Türkiye in Psychosocial Interventions for Employees in the Post-Disaster Response Process

SESRIC initiated its Occupational Health and Safety Capacity Building Programme (OSH-CaB) in 2010 to support the efforts of OIC Member Countries in improving workplace safety and health. Within this framework, the Centre organises capacity-building activities tailored to the needs and capacities of the occupational health and safety institutions of the OIC Member Countries, using modalities such as training courses, workshops, and study visits. For more details about the OSH-CaB and its activities, please visit: https://www.sesric.org/cbp-ohs.php