Public institutions will honestly admit they do not invest enough into mental health services for their fellow employees

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Should those who hold public office show that they are of sound mind and body before taking office and during the years they serve? Are those bureaucrats who run our government ever tested or investigated for various mental health issues that could surely affect their performance as public employees?

Imagine what the mental state of public servants is like these days? Besides the pandemics influence upon us all, these men and women are responsible for public service to their communities and nation.

Many public employees are under vigorous scrutiny for their honesty and performance, but what about their mental health challenges?

Various municipal, state and federal authorities make attempts to pinpoint an employee in need, someone needing assistance and direction in their professional and personal lives, but it is difficult to do. Privacy and union issues often stand in between the person in need and those who would assist them.

Furthermore, many employees refuse to seek assistance, for reasons of professional survival. Say an employee has an important job where many decisions are made influencing the community at large (i.e. Police). That person needs assistance for some mental health issues, but fears either losing their jobs or being declared problematic. They clam up, interiorizing their pain, fear or distress.

Our elected officials too, have much to hide away from their future or present day electors. What if they have a skeleton in their closet, a colourful personal history, a criminal record, a possible mental health or physical health issue? The electorate and media place a politician, performing their service to the community, under a microscope alike. This must be stressful to them and their families too. Are elected officials evaluated for mental health status ever, before being elected and during their service?

We have heard many public officials call for hugely needed investments into the treatment of mental health issues, yet these investments are either moving at a snail’s pace or not at all. Our military and police have been calling for assistance regarding their need for mental health programs with little happening.

The government’s response is usually words, words, and more words with little assistance given. Our government has enough revenue to invest in weapons for the police and military, building structures and community centres, highways and new computers, but when asked to invest in people, their employee’s and the electorate, it’s either too costly or they do not have the funds.

The police and military need trained mental health professionals, therapists, and therapy-recoup centres. If the government can send them into harm’s way, they are responsible to maintain their mental health.

A healthy employee is a trusted effective one. The government should source mental health professionals for those who serve them. Furthermore, governments and their agencies are responsible to encourage, initiate and plan for the training of these professionals. A well-paid professional will make their placement a long-term investment. If our public employees can rely upon their employer to care for them, we can rely upon our public sector.

An established long-term mental health program needs to be established. This can be all-inclusive to the entire community. Gun owners, and drivers should be required to invest their time in an interview and possible retraining every five years. Should a mental health issue be recognized, it can be dealt with appropriately and calmly. Bad habits, addictions, attitudes and illnesses developed over time can be recognized, and something done about them promptly and privately.