Mental Health in the Workplace Psychological Health and Safety

What comes to mind when you hear the term “MENTAL HEALTH” ICE BREAKER What comes to mind when you hear the term “MENTAL HEALTH” (Hint: There Are No Wrong Answers)

Why is it Important? Mental health related illnesses are the leading cause of workplace disability in Canada Mental health claims are the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada 20% of Canadian workers experience a stress related illness every year Canadian workplaces lose upwards of 20 Billion dollars per year due to mental health disorders Employers may be at risk of liability for mental injuries sustained by employees

Legal Liability Employee Vs Wal-mart Windsor Ontario: -October 2012 former Wal-mart assistant manager awarded $1.46 million Subject to profane and insulting mental abuse from May to November 2009 (including being called “a (expletive) idiot” and being made to count skids in front of others to prove she could count.) $200,000 for intentional infliction of mental suffering, $1 million for punitive damages, and $10,000 for assault; and from [her direct supervisor], $100,000 for intentional infliction of mental suffering, and $150,000 for punitive damages. She received nothing for alleged sexual harassment and discrimination. Oct 10, 2012 : http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/10/10/walmart-must-pay-1-4-million-for-mistreating-employee/

Why is it Important? 1.23 million Canadians indicate they have been harassed at work (7% of the workforce) -Ipsos Reid survey 500,000 people every day are away from work due to a mental health issue (stress, illness, injury) Of these, between one quarter and one third are away because of real or perceived relationship problems in the workplace that affect their mental wellbeing. Source: Dr. Martin Shain

Impacts of Unhealthy Work Environments High Demand Low Control and/or High Effort Low Reward 3X Risk of Heart Problems Back Pain 5X Certain Cancers 2X - 3X Conflicts 2X - 3X Mental Health Problems 2X - 3X Infections 2X - 3X Injuries 2X Substance Abuse Source: Dr. Martin Shain

Physical Health and Safety Playing Catching Up Physical Health and Safety in the Workplace Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Mental Health in the Workplace Vs WE can see that this is a very important serious topic, but it is evident that we are playing a bit of a catch up game at the minute If we were to have a show down between the 2 areas, It is very evident that Physical health and safety is years ahead (warning signs posted everywhere, policies in place, Committees dedicated to the topic, and legislation in place etc) For example the report of “There are chemical fumes in my work area that are affecting my sleeping patterns and giving me a terrible headaches.” -How long would you work in this environment before saying something? -Why? Vs. “My colleague was just let go and I was given their workload on top of mine. I cannot afford to get fired! I am so stressed that I can barely sleep and I have headaches all the time.” There is still a fair amount of trepidation to go into the realm of ‘mental health.’ It is an area where there is still a fair amount of stigma, and uncertainty regarding responsibility Set all of that baggage aside to a certain extent and move past stopping points associated with the term ‘mental health’, the term “Psychological health” and safety was adopted. The hopes are that this terminology will have a broader acceptance. Just as Physical health and safety are not just for people in the workplace that have broken arms, Psychological health and safety is not just for people with a diagnosed condition, it looks towards prevention and is applicable for everyone.

Psychological Health and Safety Standard “Specifies requirements for a documented and systematic approach to develop and sustain psychologically a healthy workplace” http://shop.csa.ca/

Psychologically Healthy and Safe Workplace? Definition: “A workplace that promotes worker’s psychological well-being and actively works to prevent harm to worker psychological health including negligent, reckless, or intentional ways.”

Psychological Health and Safety Management System Includes: Commitment, Leadership and Participation, Planning Implementation Evaluation and corrective action Management review

Workplace Factors Organizational Culture is Psychologically Healthy and Safe Psychological and Social Support Clear Leadership and Expectations Civility and Respect Psychological Demands Growth and Development Recognition and Reward Involvement and Influence Workload Management Engagement Balance Psychological Protection Protection of Physical Safety

Annex A: Workplace Factors Psychological and social support comprises all supportive social interactions available at work, either with co-workers or supervisors. It refers to the degree of social and emotional integration and trust among co-workers and supervisors. It refers also to the level of help and assistance provided by others when one is performing tasks. Equally important are the workers’ perceptions and awareness of organizational support. When workers perceive organizational support, it means they believe their organization values their contributions, is committed to ensuring their psychological well-being, and provides meaningful support if this well-being is compromised. An organization with good psychological and social support would be able to state that a) the organization offers services or benefits that address worker psychological and mental health; b) workers feel part of a community and that the people they are working with are helpful in fulfilling the job requirements; c) the organization has a process in place to intervene if an employee looks distressed while at work; d) workers feel supported by the organization when they are dealing with personal or family issues; e) the organization supports workers who are returning to work after time off due to a mental health condition; and f) people in the organization have a good understanding of the importance of worker mental health.

Annex B: Resources for Building a Psychological Health and Safety Framework Annex C: Sample Implementation Models Annex D: Implementation Scenarios for small and large enterprises Annex E: Sample Audit Tool Annex F: Discussion of Relevant Legislation or Regulation Annex G: Related Standards and Reference Documents

Discussion Divide into Smaller Groups. Pick a workplace factor that your group feels has the greatest impact on individuals. 1) How would you address this factor in a workplace? 2) Potential barriers to addressing this factor in a workplace? 3) What are some solutions to overcome the barriers? Share as a group

Resources

KFL&A Public Health Resources Comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion Health Promotion Strategies Awareness Raising Skill Building and Motivation Environmental Support (Opportunities) Policy Development Occupational Health & Safety Voluntary Health Practice Comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion is defined as "an approach to protecting and enhancing the health of employees that relies and builds upon the efforts of employers to create a supportive management under and upon the efforts of employees to care for their own well-being.“ (Shain, 2001) How do you achieve a healthier work place? This is where a comprehensive workplace health promotion can help workplaces. A comprehensive approach to workplace health has been demonstrated through research to be most effective in protecting and enhancing the health of an organization and its employees. CWHP builds on legislated OH&S requirements. It incorporates initiatives from the following three areas: Occupational Health & Safety – activities in this area help to reduce work related injury, illness and disability by addressing environmental and chemical hazards in the workplace. Usually legislated. Voluntary Health Practices – this area looks at reducing the risk or incidence of worker illness by addressing individuals’ lifestyle behaviours through education, supportive environment and policies. And finally Organizational Culture – is the foundational piece of a comprehensive workplace wellness program. It involves improving job satisfaction and productivity by changing worker attitudes and perceptions, management practices and the way work is organized. This area looks at providing managers with the skills they need to “manage”, through education sessions on communication styles, or conflict resolution and also providing staff with the ability to control how their work is organized. This means management working with staff for the improvement of the organization. Workplace Wellness Organizational Culture Free Resource!

Psychological Health and Safety Standard Canadian Standards Association/ Bureau de Normalisation du Québec National Standard: Psychological Health and Safety in the workplace http://shop.csa.ca/ Free Resource!

Canadian Mental Health Association Action Guide Policy writing Planning Promotion Prevention: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Process Persistence www.mentalhealthcommission.ca Free Resource!

Mental Health Works http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/ Platform that offers assistance, support, training and education to individuals, families, employers and unions with regard to Understanding, prevention, management and treatment of mental illness, mental disability and mental injury in the workplace Promotion of mental health in the workplace Provides advice (not counselling) to individuals in distress •Helps employers learn how to relate more effectively to employees who have mental health issues avoid creating situations that negatively affect employee mental health •Helps Boards of Directors to appreciate their new and emerging responsibilities under the law and the new Standard •Helps teams that are struggling to function in ways that promote rather than defeat the mental health of their members •On-line resources; Live workshops and training sessions; On-site consultations; Webinars; Services offered directly or via training of trainers (from a one hour session to a 5 day program) (Some free resources, Some have a fee associated)

Great West Life Resources www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com Free Resource!

Guarding Minds @ Work www.guardingmindsatwork.ca Free Resource! Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA) Commissioned and Funded by Great West Life Free Resource!

Upcoming Events Your Workplace Conference 2013: June 5-6, 2013. Kingston Ontario www.yourworkplace.ca Subscribe to KFL&A Public Health Living Well Newsletter: Practical wellness related articles and Up to date information regarding events

Thank you for your interest in the Wellness of your Workplace Call the Living Well line at 613-549-1232 ext. 1180 or 1-800-267-7875 ext. 1180 Email: workplacewellness@kflapublichealth.ca