#CostaRica 🇨🇷 #BDS_Article: Mental Health in the Workplace: A Shared Responsibility

Manuel's job performance began to decline, his absenteeism increased, and his team reported that he seemed disengaged from day-to-day interactions. He was struggling with depression and anxiety, stemming from a tense work environment. He wasn’t the only one. The timely intervention of the manager at the tech company where he worked led to the identification and resolution of a structural gap in the company’s wellbeing management practices.

Manuel’s case is no longer an exception. Around the world, more and more people are facing mental health issues that affect every aspect of their lives — including work.

Today, we understand that while efficiency and competitiveness remain essential to business success, they go hand in hand with a critical factor that impacts not only employee quality of life, but also productivity and economic performance: mental health.

According to data from the WHO (2024), 5% of the global population suffers from depression, and 4% experiences anxiety disorders. Organizations such as the ILO (2024) and the PAHO (2024) estimate that mental health issues in the workplace have a significant impact, causing 12 billion lost workdays each year due to depression and anxiety.

In Costa Rica, diagnoses of depression have doubled — from 3,410 cases in 2022 to 7,185 in 2024 — according to the Health Surveillance Office of the Ministry of Health.

Moreover, according to official data from the Costa Rican Social Security Administration (CCSS), in 2024 there were 86,000 disability leave cases recorded solely due to anxiety and depression, representing a total of 729,000 lost workdays. These figures are alarming. It is no coincidence that the Institute for Psychological Research at Universidad de Costa Rica has referred to this situation as the “other pandemic” the country is currently facing.

It is evident that mental health not only affects individual wellbeing but also has a direct impact on business efficiency and financial performance. This highlights the urgent need to implement emotional wellbeing policies at work.

What do companies gain by prioritizing employee wellbeing? When workers enjoy good mental health, they are better able to reach their full potential, make sound decisions, and perform at their best. In addition, a work environment that values emotional wellbeing tends to foster more satisfied and committed employees, which in turn drives higher productivity and efficiency.

An emotionally stable employee demonstrates greater engagement, creativity, and efficiency, is more likely to remain with the company, and contributes positively to business performance. For this reason, it is essential for employers to understand that their teams’ psychological wellbeing is just as important as technical training or access to proper tools and equipment.

The Employer’s Role in Workplace Mental Health

Costa Rica has taken an important step on this issue. The recently enacted Regulations to the Mental Health Law (Act No. 10412) now include a provision establishing a protocol for suicide prevention.

Although this regulation does not explicitly mandate implementation by private employers, it serves as an essential guideline for preventing serious crises in the workplace. The protocol encourages the establishment of mechanisms for early detection, immediate intervention, and follow-up care, and provides comprehensive support for individuals facing risk situations.

This provision, which is part of broader mental health legislation, is undoubtedly a reference for employers seeking to take a proactive approach to mental health by investing in human capital. Timely identification and treatment of an emotional crisis helps prevent further harm — both human and financial.

In addition, promoting mental health in the workplace requires a comprehensive approach that includes: emotional wellbeing programs and clear mental health policies that provide resources and support for early and effective intervention; flexible working arrangements to help employees balance their professional and personal responsibilities; training for middle management, leadership development, and open communication to foster a culture of transparency and empathy among employees, senior leadership, and Human Resources.

Business leaders must act decisively and responsibly, integrating mental health into their internal policies and corporate culture.

Ultimately, recognizing mental health as a cornerstone of business success and employee quality of life is an investment in the future of the organization

Marco Durante 

Managing Partner, BDS Asesores

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