As part of efforts to ensure the total wellbeing civil servents and achieve better productivity, the Lagos State Government has inaugurated its Employee Wellness Centre (LASWELL) to manage workers psychological wellbeing in the state.
The government said that the center would assist in stabilising workers mentally and manage common mental health disorders that could arise among the state public servants while at work.
At the official launch of the Centre, the state Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, stated that the initiative was part of the government strategy to promote a comprehensive health system and ensure civil servants in Lagos attain better mental health often.
Muri-Okunola disclosed that he mooted the idea to set up LASWELL out having realized that in order to have a vibrant workforce, there was the need to address emotional, psychosocial and mild mental issues that might be confronting the employees.
He said: “the Centre is structured to enhance the welfare of Lagos State Public Servants to function effectively, with the help of professionals, as well as ensure officers attain satisfactory standards of mental stability and emotional /psychological wellbeing”.
The HOS added that the initiative underscores the high premium the present administration places on the wellbeing of its workforce.
Also, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Segun Dawodu, noted that the timeliness of the centre would address increasing socio-economic challenges being faced by civil servants as well as work-place related stresses and challenges at home.
“It was observed that the rate of depression has assumed an alarming proportion in recent time, compelling individuals to resort to taking antidepressants, while others are becoming victims of suicidal tendencies. It is in order to rekindle hope in these individuals that LASWELL was brought to the doorstep of the employees.
“The fact that the rate of depression, hopelessness and lack of self-actualization has assumed unprecedented dimension in our society today is enough to invest in the system. As a responsible government, we cannot pretend to be uninterested in this. We are taking this step to nip the development in the bud,” the commissioner added.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Yewande Falugba, explained that LASWELL was set up for the mental stability and management of common mental health disorders of Lagos civil servants, revealing that employees can only continue to contribute their quota to the attainment of a Greater Lagos when they are alive and in good health.
Falugba implored Civil Servants to take full advantage of the Centre as a way of regaining self-confidence, self-worth and self-actualization, and even reintegration to the society rather than submitting to hopelessness, depression, substance abuse or considering suicidal attempt as an option.
