With health and work experts calling for the introduction of yoga classes to help with mental health issues at the workplace, social service centres in Brussels have already embraced the idea.
As one in six working-age adults suffer from mental disorders, that can be amplified in the workplace, the World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation have called for action to be taken.
A joint statement by both organisations showed that the pandemic had increased anxiety and depression worldwide by 25%. "The figures are alarming," says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, "we have a huge responsibility ahead of us. It's time to focus on the harmful effects work can have on our mental health."
At the end of September, the two UN agencies issued a series of tips to prevent and protect against risks to mental health at work. They promote, for example, the practice of yoga or mindfulness meditation to reduce stress, but also activities such as physical exercise and walking to "improve mental health and work capacity".
CPAS employees starting to feel the benefits
Staff at the Brussels public social services centre CPAS didn’t wait for the recommendations of the UN to organise courses. On three Fridays every month, the meeting room is transformed into a yoga room.
Leen Dewitte is a yoga teacher for a company which offers Yoga classes in companies and runs courses at the Brussels CPAS. She teaches a gentle yoga which is adapted to the workplace.
"The participants arrive at lunchtime, having had to hurry to finish a task before leaving and knowing they have others waiting for them when they get back, but we see that they manage to relax here,” she said. “It also allows people to get to know each other better, to anticipate a burnout situation and it creates another atmosphere at work."
For Amélie Van Wissen, the secretary general of the CPAS, it was obvious to offer this opportunity to the many workers at the institution. "They have a rather stressful job,” she explained.
“We have experienced several crises, the pandemic, the influx of Ukrainian refugees, and now the energy crisis. Our staff are tired," Van Wissen added. "It is time to focus on their health, on their well-being, on their mind, and in that way, you also gain efficiency at work and feel better with your colleagues and with yourself."
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For Candice Barbé, the head of Yoga@office, this advice recommended by the UN is a good thing: "It is good that this awareness exists and that companies are supported in this approach. Often, they hesitate to create a budget for it. This recognition from the UN shows them that they are going in the right direction and encourages those who were hesitant to embark on this approach."
At the CPAS in Brussels, they also offer a series of other sports activities such as running which are also part of the UN recommendations.
