Mental Illness in the work place By:Dr. M. M. O. Okonji FRCPsych. Presented At: Methodist Guesthouse 9 th October 2014

SUMMARY Individual Vulnerability Mental illness that existed before joining the organization Mental illness that developed after joining the organization Mental Illness in Workplace2

Summary (Cont.) Model of Occupational Stress Unmanaged stress Successful management of stress The way forward Mental Illness in Workplace3

4 Harry is a chief accountant in a big organisation. He comes home tired from work, still thinking about what he didn’t complete that day. When he tries to make love to his wife that night, he’s still thinking about work and what he has to do the next day. Suddenly, he notices that he either cannot get an erection or cannot maintain one! Without realizing it, he blames his failure completely on himself. The next evening, he thinks about whether he will fail again. He tries harder and, because of his anxiety, fails again. The harder he tries, the more he fails. Soon, Harry begins to avoid intimacy and sexual contact altogether. Harry is a victim of his own stress.

Model of Occupational Stress Mental Illness in Workplace5

6 Sources of Stress Role in the organisation Relationship at work Individual I n d i v i d u a l Individual symptoms Raised blood pressure Depressed mood Excessive drinking Irritability Chest pains Coronary heart disease Mental illness Symptoms of Stress Disease

Mental Illness in Workplace7 Sources of Stress Role in the organisation Relationship at work Individual I n d i v i d u a l Organizational symptoms High absenteeism High labour turnover Industrial relations difficulties Poor quality control Prolonged strikes Frequent and severe accidents Apathy Symptoms of Stress

Mental Illness in Workplace8 Sources of Stress Organizational Structure / Climate Homework interface Individual I n d i v i d u a l Individual symptoms Raised blood pressure Depressed mood Excessive drinking Irritability Chest pains Coronary heart disease Mental illness Symptoms of Stress Disease

Mental Illness in Workplace9 Sources of Stress Organizational Structure/ Climate Homework interface Individual I n d i v i d u a l Organizational symptoms High absenteeism High labour turnover Industrial relations difficulties Poor quality control Prolonged strikes Frequent and severe accidents Apathy Symptoms of Stress

Unmanaged Stress Mental Illness in Workplace10 Source of Stress FamilyEmotional WorkSocial ChangesEnvironmental Stress Overload Physiological: e.g. rapid heart muscle tension, increased B.P. Medical: e.g. Headache, hypertension, heartburn Decreased productivity Decreased enjoyment Decreased intimacy Behavioural: e.g. Overacting, excessive alcohol and drug intake Behavioural: e.g. obesity, alcoholism Immediate Effects Long-Term Effects Emotional e.g. anxiety, depression, anger Cognitive e.g. destructibility, danger Emotional e.g. anxiety, depression, mental illness Cognitive e.g. memory problems, sleep disturbance

Successful Management of Stress Mental Illness in Workplace11 Source of Stress Change StressorsFamily Stressors Chemical Stressor Social Stressors Commuting StressorsDecision Stressors, etc. Health Promoting Lifestyle Responses Adaptive behaviour responses e.g. - Time management - Assertiveness Technique and skills Long-Term Effects Adaptive physical responses e.g. nutrition, exercises, relaxation Adaptive cognitive responses e.g. cognitive restructuring Increased self esteem, self respect & self confidence Improved physical health and resistance to disease Improved mental health and resistance to future stress Increased productivity Increased enjoyment Increased intimacy Overall benefits

The Way Forward Early symptoms Referral Counselling Specific management Mental Illness in Workplace12

Thank you Mental Illness in Workplace13