Colombia: Ministries of Labour and Health to Advance Mental Health and Addiction Prevention

The Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection have launched an initiative to promote mental health and prevent the use of psychoactive substances in the workplace. This initiative emphasizes the importance of mental health in the work environment and its direct impact on employees’ quality of life and productivity.

To prevent mental health issues and the consumption of psychoactive substances, the ministries aim to establish clear guidelines requiring companies to implement prevention strategies. The decree mandates that employers and contractors develop an Institutional Preventive Project focused on the Consumption, Abuse, and Addiction to Psychoactive Substances, designed to reduce psychosocial risks for workers.

Main Strategies of the Project

• Preventive program on psychoactive substance consumption: This will involve awareness-raising, intervention, and professional follow-up stages, aimed at reducing the risks associated with substance use in the workplace.
• Workload management and social support: This strategy will focus on promoting a balanced distribution of tasks, as well as fostering social support and recreational activities within the workplace, to reduce stress and improve the working environment.
• Protection for workers in high-risk areas: Specific measures will be implemented to protect employees working in high-risk sectors, such as healthcare workers, from psychosocial risks and substance abuse.

 

This initiative represents a comprehensive effort to protect and promote the mental health of workers in Colombia, with the goal of creating safer and healthier work environments for all.

 

For additional information on any matter related to labour issues in Colombia, please contact Angélica María Carrión Barrero (Partner) of López & Asociados at angelica.carrion@lopezasociados.net or visit www.lopezasociados.net

For more information, please contact Joseph Granato, Communications Manager at L&E Global at joseph.granato@leglobal.org.