Beyond Stigma: Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace

1. Beyond Stigma: Understanding Mental Healthin the Workplace Presented by: Emma Geoghegan Date: May 10, 2012

2. EFAP Information English: 1-800-663-1142 French: 1-866-398-9505 TTY: 1-888-384-1152 Online: www.homewoodhumansolutions.com Confidential Counselling Available 24/7

3. Objectives • Become familiar with stigma of mental illness • Learn the facts about mental illness • Identify symptoms of common mental illnesses • Learn strategies to help self and others with mental illness • Be more confident in approaching a colleague at work for whom you have mental health concerns

4. Agenda • Assess how much you know about mental illness • Information on common mental illnesses and treatments • Strategies for being a supportive coworker/manager • Application of mental health strategies to your workplace

5. Mental illness in the workplace All stats are from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Desjardins Financial Security National Mental Health Week Survey 2007 nuts cuckoo psycho 43% of Canadians know a colleague with a mental illness • “The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.” • Joe Ancis 66% of employees say they do not have the tools at work to help with mental illness crazy loopy 51% of employees kept quiet about their mental illness ! Head case THE LAW whacko Nut bar mental

6. Mental Illness 101 EVERYONE at some point in their life experiences feelings of isolation, loneliness, emotional distress or disconnection… …these are normal, short-term reactions to difficult situations. In some cases however the duration and intensity may interfere seriously with everyday life. This is when it turns into a mental illness.

7. Case Study • Sharon

8. Measure your Mental Illness IQ Quiz

9. Question 1 Who is most likely to be affected by mental illness? • Victims of a traumatic event • School-age children • Adults in demanding careers • Everyone

10. Question 2 What is the greatest barrier to accessing treatment for mental illness? • Lack of skilled professionals • Stigma • Transportation • Failure to recognize symptoms

11. Question 3 Early intervention and/or medical treatment for a mental illness? • May decrease long term disability • Is unlikely to make any difference • May prevent development of other illnesses • A & C

12. Question 4 How many Canadians experience an Anxiety Disorder in a given year? • 1 million • 100,000 • 3 million • 750,000

13. Question 5 Mental illness can be caused by…? • Biochemical processes in the brain • Lack of sleep • Personal weakness • Heart disease

14. Question 6 Early warning signs of a mental illness may include: • Significant changes in behaviour or personality • Confused thoughts and speech • Suspiciousness and withdrawal • All of the above

15. Question 7 What can you do to look after your mental health? • Ignore the symptoms & hope it goes away • Know the signs & symptoms of mental illness • Develop more willpower • All of the above

16. Your score

17. Identifying common mental illnesses • General information about symptoms of the four most common mental illnesses in Canada. • Please refer to the resources listed at the end of this presentation for more in-depth information.

18. Symptoms of depression • Feeling sad, down, hopeless, or worthless • Lack of interest • Fatigue or restlessness • Trouble concentrating & poor memory • Sleep disturbance • Unexplained physical problems • Weight gain or loss • Isolating from others • Anger & irritability • Thoughts of suicide 8% of adult Canadians will experience a major depression in their life

19. Mood disorder: Bi polar • Alternating high (mania) & low moods (depression) • Poor judgment & risky behavior • Increased physical activity • Inflated self-esteem • Hopelessness & sadness • Loss of energy • Guilt • Suicidal thoughts 1% prevalence rate in Canada

20. Signs of substance abuse • Repeated failure to meet social, occupational or family duties (late or absent, poor performance, neglect of children) • Uncharacteristic mood or personality swings • Spending too much, borrowing or stealing money • Physical signs (agitated or drowsy, blood shot or pinned eyes) • Odor on clothing • Drug paraphernalia

21. Restlessness Easily distracted Worry Feeling on edge Difficulty concentrating Poor memory Irritable or impatient Sleep disturbance Unexplained physical problems Anxiety symptoms 12.2% prevalence rate in Canada

22. Suicide If you suspect someone may be suicidal: • Be direct and ask  • Be open – it does not increase the risk • Be non-judgmental • Take all threats seriously • Look into community resources • Tell someone who can help • Take action if you perceive immediate risk (police, emergency services, hospital)

23. Professional consultation It may be an idea to consider professional consultation if you notice: Changes in mood and/or behaviour that are troubling and persist beyond two weeks What to look out for: • Normally vivacious person is withdrawn • Dramatic changes in appearance • Expressed thoughts of helplessness and worthlessness • Crying without apparent reason - Loss of sleep and/or appetite

24. Supporting someone in need • Listen without rescuing, no “quick fixes” • Offer to find the person support • Don’t judge or blame • Help them remain hopeful • Celebrate success • Encourage resilience & self care

25. Strategies for looking after coworkers • Do… • Familiarize yourself with symptoms of common mental illnesses • Initiate communication with your coworker about your concerns • Rehearse beforehand what you are going to say when you approach your coworker • Be prepared to face defensiveness, anger, embarrassment by your coworker • Inform HR and Management and enlist their support when appropriate (i.e., whenever there is a risk involved or when job safety becomes an issue) • Suggest your coworker uses the EFAP service • Always put job safety first • LOOK AFTER YOURSELF – be aware of your rights as well as your responsibilities

26. Strategies for looking after coworkers • Do not… • Attempt to make your own diagnoses • Take on the counsellor role • Assume someone else will approach this coworker • Take negative responses personally – often these are symptomatic of the illness itself • Engage in office gossip • Allow your fear of ‘rocking the boat’ impact on job safety

27. Concerned coworker case study • Sharon

28. Understand: the facts about mental illness Recognize: the signs and symptoms of mental illness Act: employ strategies to help yourself and co-workers In Summary…

29. Resources and information • Alzheimer Society of Canada: www.alzheimer.ca • Check-Up From The Neck Up: http://www.checkupfromtheneckup.ca/ • Mental Health Website: www.mymentalhealth.ca • Canadian Association of Social Workers: www.casw-acts.ca • Canadian Institute for Health Information: www.cihi.ca • Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/institutes/inmha • Canadian Medical Association: www.cma.ca • Canadian Mental Health Association: www.cmha.ca • Schizophrenia Society of Canada: www.schizophrenia.ca

30. Resources and information, cont’d Canadian Psychiatric Association: www.cpa-apc.orgCanadian Psychiatric Research Foundation: www.cprf.caCanadian Psychological Association: www.cpa.caCenters for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.govCentre for Addiction and Mental Health: http://www.camh.net/index.htmlThe College of Family Physicians of Canada: www.cfpc.caHealth Canada, Mental Health: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/mental/index_e.htmlThe Mood Disorders Society of Canada: www.mooddisorderscanada.caThe National Eating Disorder Information Centre: www.nedic.caNational Network for Mental Health: www.nnmh.ca

31. EFAP Information English: 1-800-663-1142 French: 1-866-398-9505 TTY: 1-888-384-1152 Online: www.homewoodhumansolutions.com Confidential Counselling Available 24/7