1. Mental Health in the Workplace
Psychological Health and Safety

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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 :

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Psychological Health and Safety Standard
“Specifies requirements for a documented and systematic approach to develop and sustain psychologically a healthy workplace”

9. 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.”

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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. Resources

16. 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!

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

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

19. Mental Health Works
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)

20. Great West Life Resources
Free Resource!

21. 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!

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

23. Thank you for your interest in the Wellness of your Workplace
Call the Living Well line at ext. 1180
or ext. 1180