Promoting the Mental Health of Anaesthetists Nick Arvanitis, Head of Workplace Research & Resources, beyondblue
OUTLINE 1. Mental health & Anaesthetists 2. Creating a mentally healthy workplace 3. What s my role? 4. beyondblue resources 5. Questions
MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM
MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM Diagnosable mental health conditions
RISK FACTORS FOR MENTAL HEALTH WORKPLACE (GENERAL) Long working hours Work overload or pressure Lack of support Low job control Lack of participation in decision making Unclear work role Poor communication Limited resources Bullying, discrimination and harassment
RISK FACTORS FOR MENTAL HEALTH WORKPLACE (GENERAL) Long working hours Work overload or pressure Lack of support Low job control Lack of participation in decision making Unclear work role Poor communication Limited resources Bullying, discrimination and harassment MEDICAL PROFESSION Shift work Work/family conflict Repeated exposure to death/trauma Occupational violence Difficult interactions with the public High levels of responsibility Fear of making mistakes Strong cultural pressures (e.g. stigma, patient first mentality) Individual factors (e.g. personality traits)
RISK FACTORS FOR MENTAL HEALTH WORKPLACE (GENERAL) Long working hours Work overload or pressure Lack of support Low job control Lack of participation in decision making Unclear work role Poor communication Limited resources Bullying, discrimination and harassment MEDICAL PROFESSION Shift work Work/family conflict Repeated exposure to death/trauma Occupational violence Difficult interactions with the public High levels of responsibility Fear of making mistakes Strong cultural pressures (e.g. stigma, patient first mentality) Individual factors (e.g. personality traits) SELF-EMPLOYED ANAESTHETISTS Feelings of isolation Limited administrative support Reduced professional support Unpredictability of income Large amounts of time spent commuting between jobs Increased pressure to develop and maintain relationships (e.g. with surgeons and other work colleagues) in order to secure work
RISK FACTORS FOR MENTAL HEALTH WORKPLACE (GENERAL) Long working hours (4) Work overload or pressure (2) Lack of support Low job control Lack of participation in decision making Unclear work role Poor communication Limited resources Bullying, discrimination and harassment MEDICAL PROFESSION Shift work Work/family conflict (1) Repeated exposure to death/trauma Occupational violence Difficult interactions with the public High levels of responsibility (3) Fear of making mistakes (5) Strong cultural pressures (e.g. stigma, patient first mentality) Individual factors (e.g. personality traits) SELF-EMPLOYED ANAESTHETISTS Feelings of isolation Limited administrative support Reduced professional support Unpredictability of income Large amounts of time spent commuting between jobs Increased pressure to develop and maintain relationships (e.g. with surgeons and other work colleagues) in order to secure work
MENTAL HEALTH OF DOCTORS Doctors are generally resilient but. 3.4%of doctors experience very high psychological distress (c.f. 2.6% in wider community) More than four in 10 students and a quarterof doctors are highly likely to have a minor psychiatric disorder Doctors self-report higher rates of anxiety conditions compared to the wider community (9.0% vs. 5.9%) beyondblue National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students (2014)
MENTAL HEALTH OF ANAESTHETISTS High levels of very high psychological distress compared with other specialties beyondblue National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students (2014)
SUICIDE IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION One in 10 doctors had suicidal thoughts in the past year Male doctors have a 26% higher risk of suicide (c.f. general population) Female doctors have a 146% higher risk of suicide (c.f. general population) Suicideinanaesthetistsis frequently associated with substance abuse beyondblue National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students (2014) The mental health of doctors A systematic literature review (2010)
ANAESTHETISTS & SUICIDAL THINKING High levels of suicidal thoughts in the previous 12 months compared with other specialties beyondblue National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students (2014)
STIGMA IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 59% of doctors believe that being a patient causes embarrassment for a doctor 48% of doctors believe doctors are less likely to appoint doctors with a history of depression or an anxiety disorder 45% of doctors believe that experiencing depression or an anxiety disorder themselves is a sign of personal weakness 41% of doctors believe that a doctor with a history of depression or an anxiety disorder is less competent beyondblue (2014), National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students
THE STATE OF WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA BELIEFS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE In my workplace there is/are Employees Leaders... Information about workplaces legal responsibilities 45% 72% Mental health return to work policy 44% 74% Policies to support staff with mental health condition 44% 70% Leadership commitment to mental health 37% 71% Employee input to planning around mental health programs 25% 57% TNS, (2014). State of workplace mental health in Australia.
MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS COST AUSTRALIAN ORGANISATIONS $10.9 BILLION A YEAR PWC, (2014). Creating a mentally healthy workplace: Return on investment analysis.
OUTLINE 1. Mental health & anaesthetists 2. Creating a mentally healthy workplace 3. What s my role? 4. beyondblue resources 5. Questions
WHAT IS A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE? A mentally healthy workplace is one where all workers: address the risks to mental health contribute to reducing stigma support staff with mental health conditions promote a positive workplace culture contribute to suicide awareness & prevention.
INVESTING IN WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDES A SIGNIFICANT ROI FOR EVERY $1 INVESTED IN MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES THERE S AN AVERAGE RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI) OF $2.30 PWC, (2014). Creating a mentally healthy workplace: Return on investment analysis.
KEY SUCCESS FACTORS Leadership commitment & involvement Continuous, meaningful participation of employees (& other key groups) A holistic, integrated approach A focus on fundamental (and solvable) issues Communication throughout the process
OUTLINE 1. Mental health & anaesthetists 2. Creating a mentally healthy workplace 3. What s my role? 4. beyondblue resources 5. Questions
KNOW THE SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
LOOK AFTER YOUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH 1. Look after your physical health (e.g. diet, exercise, limit alcohol, good sleep habits) 2. Have interests beyond your work/professional identity (i.e. have boundaries) 3. Have a support network of friends & family 4. Be aware of triggers of stress 5. Use relaxation/stress reduction techniques 6. Have your own GP & seek support if you are struggling it s not a sign of weakness
HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT Plan what to say Have a conversation Listen carefully Offer support Maintain privacy
CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCING STIGMA Speak openly about mental health & mental illness in the workplace Be actively involved in mental health related events (e.g. World Mental Health Day, Work Safe Week, Movember) If you feel comfortable share any personal experiences you ve had with a mental health condition (or suggest inviting a guest speaker to talk about their personal experience (speaker@beyondblue.org.au) Support colleagues/employees who may be struggling with mental health conditions
ORGANISATIONAL LEADERS & MANAGERS HAVE A CRITICAL ROLE Speak openly about any personal experiences you may have had Be a supportive & approachable leader Actively support & participate in mental health events/activities Understand your legal responsibilities relating to mental health in the workplace (e.g. OHS, anti-discrimination, privacy, mandatory reporting) Seek input from staff & involve them in identifying solutions Don t wait for others -be a champion who takes the lead!
OUTLINE 1. Mental health & anaesthetists 2. Creating a mentally healthy workplace 3. What s my role? 4. beyondblue resources 5. Questions
OVERVIEW OF HEADS UP Developed by beyondbluein collaboration with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance Funded by the Commonwealth Government Aims to assist organisations and individuals create mentally workplaces The Heads Up initiative includes: Marketing campaign Interactive website (www.headsup.org.au) Engagement program
HEADS UP WEBSITE (WWW.HEADSUP.ORG.AU) A central point online for workplaces Simple, practical, and FREE resources Resources for all individuals (leaders, business owners, HR, OHS, managers, frontline staff) Case studies, videos, tools, fact sheets, brochures, booklets Specific resources for doctors (www.headsup.org.au/doctors)
BEYONDBLUE DOCTORS MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM Aim: To address the prevalence of mental health conditions and suicide within the medical profession Past activities: International evidence review focusing on doctors mental health National Mental Health Survey of Doctors and Medical Students Workshop for hospitals on creating mentally healthy workplaces Grand Round presentations Development of tailored resources on Heads Up website
RESOURCE FOR HOSPITALS DEVELOPING A MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING STRATEGY The aim is provide hospitals with a clear step-by-step approach on how to develop a workplace mental health and wellbeing strategy Will have application to a broad range of hospital working environments, including metro, regional and rural hospitals Work is guided by a steering committee of hospital representatives: Senior leaders, HR, OHS, Health & Wellbeing, HMO 11 Metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals represented
RESOURCES Heads Up website (www.headsup.org.au) Tools & resources for individuals and organisationsfocusing on mental health in the workplace beyondbluesupport Service Get immediate support by calling 1300 22 46 36 or visiting www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport beyondbluewebsite (www.beyondblue.org) Learn more about anxiety, depression and suicide
Questions?