IOM conducts workshop for stress management at the workplace

We juggle family life, work, our place in society. We hardly ever stop to catch a breath. This coupled with factors that sometimes seem beyond our control – the dwindling economy, peace and security, mother nature’s force of raging rains causing unprecedented flooding or long stretches of drought, not to mention 2020, a year that seems to have turned the whole world belly up when COVID-19 struck, respecting no borders and seeping into our communities and into our homes – it has been a lot to handle.

It goes without saying that people’s stress levels all around the world have been on the rise as we try to grapple with everything.

Compounded with its existing and unique complexities, South Sudan is no exception.

“We face many challenges in our lives,” says Margret John. “I worry about the future of my children; it keeps me up at night.”

Margert John, works at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MHADM) as a support staff. She is one of 40 participants attending the ‘Stress Management in the workplace’ workshop in Juba conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in South Sudan.

“We know very well the stress that comes with working in a humanitarian crisis,” says Asar Ul Haq Muhammad, IOM Shelter and Settlement Programme Manager. “As one of our main government counterparts responding to humanitarian emergencies around South Sudan, together with the Ministry, we decided to organise this workshop so that staff at the Ministry can be well equipped to prevent and cope with stress in the workplace.”

Facilitated by IOM’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) unit, the two-day workshop, officiated by MHADM Undersecretary, Dr Kot Bol Anyuar and IOM acting Head of Operations, Kristina Uzelac aims to help staff learn how to prevent and cope with stress in the workplace.

The workshop marks the commencement of Mental Health Awareness Month which kicks off today (10/10) with the commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day, under the theme “Creating Hope Through Action.” The awareness month will conclude with the commemoration of the World Mental Health Day, on October 10th under the theme “Mental Health in an Unequal World”.

 “While stress, particularly working in humanitarian crisis can be expected, when stress reaches peak levels, it can cause fatigue, exhaustion and can be detrimental to one’s health,” says Nino Shushania, IOM MHPSS acting Programme Manager. “This is why it is important to know and recognise our limits so that we prevent reaching those levels.”

Eager to share her story, Mary Marco who also works as a cleaner at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs says that she has been battling to suppress issues she faces at home to ensure that they do not affect her at work.

“Everyday when I come to work, I have to remind myself to leave my ‘home problems’ at the door; but it is hard and it only builds on the stress and pressure,” says Mary.

“At home I am the mother, the father, the grandmother – I feel overwhelmed as I try my best to fulfil these roles,” she adds.

Mary Marco says that the workshop will help her identify when her stress levels start to increase. She now understands that “suppressing stress is not a way to cope with the stress,” she says through a translator.

“I now understand that it is okay to speak with my co-workers when I start to feel stressed. Hearing other colleagues share today, I realise that I am not the only one who gets stressed so it is important that we talk to one another and help each other,” she adds; a shared sentiment amongst the other participants who are comprised of cleaners, messengers, drivers and other support staff.

This workshop was supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).