Workplace mental health often stigmatized, say researchers

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on February 8, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Lethbridge College Human Resources consultant Laura Morden speaks about factors of psychological health and safety in the workplace, during a workshop hosted by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and Teamworks Career Centre recently, at the college's Garden Court restaurant.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Teamworks Career Centre recently offered members of different local organizations a chance to learn about mental health in the workplace.

Among the participants who presented during the workshop last week was Laura Morden and Adam Addison who spoke about Factors of Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

“Occupational uncertainty and a lack of value and respect in the workplace are associated with increased risk of common mental disorders,” said Morden.

She said 47 per cent of working Canadians agree that their work is the most stressful part of their day and 36.8 per cent would not tell their manager they are experiencing mental health problems.

Addison said there is a National Standard of Canada for Physical Health and Safety which they would refer to as “the standard.”

“This is a voluntary set of guidelines, tools and resources designed to help promote psychological health and prevent psychological damage due to workplace factors,” said Addison.

They divided the group of attendees into groups and each focused on one of 13 psychological risk factors that affect mental health in the workplace.

Morden said they would only focus on four of them since it would take too long to work through all 13.

The 13 psychological risk factors are organizational culture, 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 and protection of physical safety.

The exercise focused on organizational culture, psychological and social support, civility and respect, and balance.

They played a video for each of the four risk factors mentioned above and those in attendance took notes according to which factor their group has been assigned.

The videos were developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

After all four videos were played, the groups shared what they learned and produced unique and practical solutions to address the risk factors in their workplaces.

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