Deputy Secretary-General's remarks at the Launch of the UN System Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy [as prepared for delivery]

Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Dear Colleagues,

We are working in a difficult context. We just went through COVID.

The world is in crisis.

The mental health and well-being of our personnel is a top priority.

Many of you, our personnel, work in very difficult circumstances. You may be exposed to risks to your physical and mental health. You may be separated from family and support networks. And I know all of you work tirelessly to help to meet the needs of so many people around the world. 

This can take its toll.

As an organization, it is critical that we create a healthy work environment and ensure quality psycho-social support is available when you need it.

So, it is a pleasure to be with you today to launch the UN System Mental Health and Well-being Strategy for 2024 and beyond.

The first strategy made a lot of progress. 

• Learning materials were developed for leaders and managers;
• Stigma reduction activities were introduced;
• Access to psycho-social support were reviewed; and
• Data was collected to identify areas we can improve on.

However, there is more work to be done. The Strategy we are launching today will build on the progress made so far. It is based on current evidence, internal data, and the input of our personnel across the globe.

It identifies key areas for action, and all UN Organizations will be asked to report on the progress they make across 12 agreed indicators.

These aim to:

• Prevent risks to mental health at work; 
• Promote well-being and protect mental health at work and;
• Support personnel with mental health conditions. 

This is a collective effort, and we all have a role to play. Each one of us can act to create a healthy work environment, support colleagues in need and optimize our own well-being.

Together we can create a workplace that prioritizes mental health and well-being and create real and sustainable change for ourselves and future generations.

This is a priority for senior leaders. And we are putting the structures and resources in place to make it a priority across the organization too.  We have an impressive coalition in our multi-agency, multi-disciplinary Implementation Board. They have led the remarkable efforts over the past five years and demonstrated significant gains in our mental health initiatives. I thank them. I personally commit to communicating the importance of this issue, to accessing the learning tools that have been developed for leaders, and to ensuring action is taken within my own office. I will also prioritize my own well-being to ensure that I am a role model to everyone within the UN System.

Let us commit to supporting our personnel to the very best of our ability, to ensure a healthy UN workforce for a better world.

Thank you.