mental health and its importance in safety critical roles...objectives-increase understanding about...
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Mental Health and its importance in Safety Critical Roles
Why talk about mental health?
Tina BalachandranSenior Company Psychologist
Relevance in Safety Critical Roles
Declaration
- I am an employee of Qatar Airways- I have no potential conflicts of interest to report- Opinions expressed are my own and may not directly represent the opinion of the
organization
Objectives
- Increase understanding about mental health - Recognize the need to break associated stigma- Identify the relevance of mental health at work- Discuss approaches to creating a psychologically safe workplace- Create awareness about the role of a psychologist within health and safety
Health, Safety, and Environment
Occupational Health & SafetyFocus largely on physical safety
What about the dangers you can’t see?Do we consider psychological ergonomics?
Mental Health Prevalence
Mental health issues are on the rise- 1 in 4 affected by mental health in their
lifetime- Depression is the leading cause of
disability - More than 260 million are living with
anxiety disorders- 5% of adults have a substance use
disorder in any 12 month period (males more than females)- 25% of presentations to primary care in
Qatar
Global statistics for the general population*
*Ref:WorldHealthOrganization(WHO),MinistryofPublicHealth(MOPH)
Causes of deaths in Qatar*Percent change from 2007 - 2017
*Ref: TheInstituteforHealthMetricsandEvaluation(IHME)
Health problems leading to disability*Causes of YLDs in 2017 and percent change, 2007-2017
*Ref: TheInstituteforHealthMetricsandEvaluation(IHME)
Risk factors leading to death & disability*Contributors to DALYs in 2017 and percent change, 2007-2017
*Ref: TheInstituteforHealthMetricsandEvaluation(IHME)
What is mental health?
state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community
World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as
Are you comfortable with mental health?How do you feel talking about it?
https://pollev.com/TINABALACHAN226
Research suggests that
Employees don’t disclose their mental health issues. More than 70% don’t seek treatment - fear of- Micro-managed- No promotion- Mistakes linked to illness - Gossip at work- Social exclusion
Stigma and discrimination – workplace implications
Factor affecting mental healthPredisposing individual factors
Biological RiskFactors
Genetic factors
Poornutritional intake
Physical inactivity
Substance abuse
Beingoverweight
Highbloodpressure&cholesterol
Releaseofstresshormone
Alteredlevelofbiochemical markers
PsychologicalRiskFactors
Isolation
Poorsocial networks
Abuse
Low self-esteem
Low perceivedpower
Loss ofmeaning orpurpose inlife
SocialRiskFactors
Poverty
Discrimination
Lowersocial status
Dangerouswork
Causes of psychological injuryOrganizational factors can have a negative effect
PsychologicalSupport
Recognition&Reward
ClearLeadership&Expectations
Involvement&Influence
OrganizationalCulture
Balance &Engagement
Growth&Development
Workloadmanagement
Mental health at workWorkplace statistics
Activation within the work environmentImpact on work and safety
Aviation accident - 24th March, 2015Highlighted the need for more focus on mental health
How common is the problem? (1)Construction
1in 5constructionworkers
Common risk factors- Competitive, high pressure work
environment- High prevalence of alcohol and
substance use- End of season lay offs- Separation from family-Work culture of ‘toughness’Anxiety, depression,
suicidal thoughts arecommon - CDC
How common is the problem? (2)Oil and gas sector
How common is the problem? (3)Railways
Living with mental healthVideo: Experience of rail employees
What can you do?Increase knowledge, know your resources
What else can you do?Improve policies - mental health and psychological safety
How else can you influence?Apply an evidence based best practice model
Integrated approach to mental health- Increase awareness- Break mental health stigma- Stress management and coping- Improve access to mental health
services/EAP- Return to work support
What can you do?Talking to someone with a mental health issue
Conclusion
Need to create a stigma free and psychologically safe workplace- Increase mental health awareness- Creative supportive mental health workplaces- Early access to mental health support services- Focus on employee engagement and
wellbeing
Mental health is just as important as physical health
