Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness CUSW Health & Safety
Outline Mental Health / Mental Illness Statistics Lifestyle Factors Stress Stigma Resources
Burlington TS Health Services
What does mental health mean to you? Write down 3 adjectives to describe mental health and 3 adjectives to describe mental illness What does mental illness mean to you?
What you see What you don t
Mental Health vs. Mental Illness Mental health is the capacity of each and all of us to feel, think, and act in ways that enhance our ability to enjoy life and deal with the challenges we face. Mental illness is a disturbance in thoughts and emotions that decreases a person s capacity to cope with the challenges of everyday life.
How many Canadians will experience a mental health problem in the course of a year? How many Canadians will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime?
National Mental Health Statistics Mental illness can affect everyone, regardless of age Mental health disorders are 60% higher in working Canadians vs. the general population 30% of both short and long-term disability claims are attributed to mental health problems and illnesses Depression is now equal to high blood pressure in terms of the top issue physicians see in their practice On any given week, 500,000 Canadians miss a day of work due to mental illness
Hydro One Mental Health Statistics Mental Health Disorders are the leading cause of LTD claims and 2 nd leading cause for STD claims 50% of EAP utilization were in the Work-Life and Psychological category Based on drug claim volumes, depression and anxiety are the top mental health issues Psychologist visits are 5 th in terms of claims for paramedical practitioners
Risk factors that may contribute to mental illness Genetics Biological Factors Traumatic Stress Poor social support Most difficult Most modifiable Brain Injury Substance Abuse Prolonged Stress Lack of coping skills
Types of Mental Illness Repeated Disturbance Symptoms Associated Re-experiencing Changes obsessions include with Cycle of depressed mood involving of feelings loss traumatic caused of and/or interest delusions, of Significant and persistent mood, normal by events, anxiousness compulsions fears biochemical or pleasure in of objects mood, or that hallucinations, life, combined accompanied irritability, sadness, imbalances are so with severe by feelings mania the physiological disorganized they lack of of concentration, brain interfere extreme speech, symptoms with anxiety, and/or situations everyday disorganized and that desire sense interfere to avoid of activities worthlessness stimuli behaviour with everyday associated activities with trauma Phobias Major Depressive Disorder Obsessivecompulsive Disorder Post-traumatic stress Disorder
Mental Health Continuum Model
Treatment options Biological Interventions: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Drug Therapy anti-depressants and other medications Psychosocial Interventions: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Self-help Groups Family support and involvement Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle Factors that support Mental Health Positive lifestyle changes in the physical and social realms have been proven to be strong supports of good mental health Improve lifestyle, improve mental health
Exercise Can work to both prevent and treat depression Positive relationship between exercise and mental health in people with alcohol abuse, and schizophrenia Mental health benefits proven, even for very moderate intensity events (walking) A dose of exercise could be the right medication for many
Nutrition Good nutrition often associated with better physical health but diet can have major impact on mental health Negative impact related to shift from whole foods to processed Risk of depression and anxiety reduced by 1/3 with proper diet
Relationships Strong link between good relationships and mental well-being Social isolation comparable to risks of smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity Family and friends are central and strong work relationships can play a key role
Relaxation Relaxation techniques (i.e. yoga, meditation, mindfulness) can help prevent and treat anxiety and depression Yoga can have similar effect as some anti-anxiety medications
Volunteering Lower levels of depression, increased life satisfaction, enhanced well-being Sweet spot for volunteer hours 2 to 3 hours a week
1 A person who has one or both parents with mental illness is more likely to develop mental illness
2 Mental illness is contagious.
3 Mental illness tends to begin during adolescence.
4 Drug use causes mental illness.
5 Mental illness can be cured with willpower.
6 People with mental illness never get better.
7 People with mental illness tend to be violent.
8 People who are poor are more likely to have mental illness and all homeless people are mentally ill.
9 Developmental disabilities are a form of mental illness.
Stress vs. Mental Illness Stress is a response Created by a trigger Influenced by the person s perceptions Intensity varies based on individual s personal resilience Defining feature: feeling overwhelmed, which can impact thinking and behaviour Impact reduces when stress trigger goes away or coping mechanism is found
Stress vs. Mental Illness Mental illness is an illness Diverse group of health conditions Each is varied in its cause, presentation, symptoms, and recovery Each has physical, emotional, cognitive, and social components There may have been a stress-related trigger, but symptoms are now largely independent of the situation Medication and counseling are typically required
Mental Health in the Workplace Mental health absenteeism is significantly under-reported Emotional and interpersonal issues at work are a greater source of stress than job demands Employees and employers indicate that managers knowing what to do when an employee shows signs of distress is important in improving workplace mental health
Mental Health in the Workplace More than half of managers believe that they currently have employees with mental health, significant stress or substance issues Managers knowing what to do when an employee show signs of distress is the top priority for all groups (employees and employers)
Stigma A set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.
The Perils of Multi-Tasking
ACTIVITY I am a great multitasker 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Single-Tasking
Tips for Single-Tasking *Make a to-do list Prioritize tasks and complete them sequentially * Focus and limit distractions Silence your phone Turn off email Start with 15 minutes at a time, giving your full attention to one task/project *Give your brain a break Step away from mentally challenging tasks for 5 minutes Get some fresh air, take a quick walk, etc.
Stigma
Having the conversation with a coworker Ensure privacy of the discussion Don t force the conversation Avoid you statements and own your observations Ask open-ended questions Don t jump to solutions or assumptions let your coworker tell the story Clarify the situation/information Ask if you can follow-up and do it Don t over promise
5 ways to help end stigma 1 2 3 4 5 Language matters pay attention to the words you use about mental illness Educate yourself learn, know and talk more, understand the signs Be kind small acts of kindness speak a lot Listen and ask sometimes it s best to just listen Talk about it start a dialogue, break the silence
48 Resources Workplace Strategies for Mental Health Website Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHFA) Employee and Family Assistance Program Safety Meeting Packages
Mental Health First Aid Mental Health Commission of Canada Certified Course Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis Evidence-based training program designed like traditional first aid to enable people to recognize symptoms and provide support until professional help can step in
Mental Health First Aid Goals of the course: Educate participants and help them identify signs of mental health problems in co-workers, friends, family, strangers and even themselves Teach participants how to support the individual and to help seek appropriate treatment for them Reduce the stigma of mental illness. More than half of people with mental health problems will be too ashamed to seek treatment.