PaidHR (formerly Pade HCM), a leading HR platform, partnered with the Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), a non-governmental organization focused on mental health, to host a roundtable discussion. The event brought together a distinguished panel comprising HR professionals and psychologists to address the topic of HR mental wellness in Nigeria.
Moderated by Ore Badmus, the panel engaged in an insightful discussion titled "Who Takes Care of HR?", delving into subjects such as emerging trends in the mental health landscape of Nigerian HR, the challenges faced by HR professionals in maintaining their mental well-being, and the crucial role of technology in tackling these challenges head-on.
One of the thought-provoking points raised during the webinar was the lack of attention given to mental wellness for HR professionals. Erefa Coker, founder of HREA, highlighted the tendency to overlook the toll HR roles take on mental health, emphasizing that while HR professionals serve as gatekeepers of well-being within organizations, their own mental well-being often goes unaddressed. She said:
"It's interesting because as HR people, we end up setting the focus on Mental Health month. We talk about mental health and end up setting the whole agenda for the organization. But we never really talk about the HR department as a department. We just focus on the whole strategic goal for the organization in terms of wellness."
A report by SHRM further proves her point as 42% of HR teams struggle with burnout from excessive projects and responsibilities.
It appears that this issue remains unnoticed by those outside the HR field. This makes it our responsibility to amplify the conversation surrounding HR mental wellness to ensure recognition and support for HR professionals facing these challenges. Or as Ene Ayegba, a psychologist at MANI, put it:
"Mental health wellness for HR professionals is as much a thing as we want to make it a thing."
Another point that was raised during the roundtable was the role of a supportive workplace culture in managing mental health for HR professionals. Remi Adegboye, Principal HR Manager at Tangerine, shared the importance of creating a community within the team where colleagues can provide support and rejuvenation.
"I think what has been helpful is that within the team, we have created a community for ourselves where we can run to each other. Based on our personal relationships and interactions with one another, we can reach out to colleagues, refresh, and then come back again."
It was highlighted that organizations must intentionally foster a workplace environment that promotes empathy, understanding, and mutual support to safeguard the well-being of HR professionals.
The webinar also emphasized the potential role of technology in promoting HR wellness. There is no shortage of HR tools that help promote mental wellness and a study by HR Executive revealed that 83% of HR leaders believe that technology makes their work easier.
But like Ajibola Oyekunle, Senior Regional HR Manager at Microsoft, pointed out, HR professionals rarely practice what they preach. Hence the low adoption of technology in the workplace.
Be sure to watch the recording of the roundtable to learn more about HR mental health and strategies for promoting it in the workplace.