Dr Maggie Mc Gurgan

‘Businesses that don’t take mental health seriously will not be successful…….the capabilities that

companies require now centre more on innovation, communication & emotional

intelligence than just the more straightforward requirements of strength, dexterity & intellect

that characterised previous eras.’

- Dr Paul Litchfield

• 3/10 employees will have a mental health problem of some sort in any

one year

Outline

What is Mental Health?

What is Mental Health?

What is Mental Health?

• What is

HEALTH?

No health without mental health.

What is Health?• Physical Health

How our bodies areHaving a healthy body

is really importantKeeping fitEating wellAdequate sleepStress management

What is Health?• Mental Health

How our minds areThoughts, feelings, emotions &

behavioursHaving a healthy mind is just as

important as having a healthy bodyCan’t ever properly have one

without the other!The same things that keep our

bodies healthy also keep our minds healthy

Stress vs Mental Illness• Distinction between ‘pressure’, ‘stress’

& ‘mental health problems’• Everyone feels under pressure

sometimes but not everyone suffers the adverse effects of stress or a mental health problem

• One persons ‘spur to action’ is another’s nightmare & cause of ‘melt down’

• Ability to work under pressure varies according to what is happening in rest of one’s life

Stress vs Mental Illness

• Educate staff about stress• Encourage discussion• Raise awareness• Use resources appropriate to

your service

Mental Health Problems- The Facts:

Mental Health Problems- The Facts:

• Can take many forms including –severe stress, depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxieties, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex bereavement and dementia.

• These are issues which could affect any one of us.

Mental Health Problems- The Facts:

• Named conditions – be informed!• http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/

mentalhealthinformation.aspx

Mental Health Problems- The Facts:

• People feel very uncomfortable talking about mental health

• A reason for this is stigma • People with mental illness can be stereotyped and

discriminated against• By ridiculing someone we create a barrier that makes us

think we aren’t like that person.• We want to believe ‘that could never be me’. • For some people the impact of stigma is worse than the

symptoms of their illness.• We are frightened of mental illness in a way that we are

not about physical illness.

Mental Health Problems- The Facts:

• Psychiatrists are all too aware of the issue of stigma. It affects every sphere of our work.

• It makes people reluctant to admit that they are struggling with mental health difficulties and this can delay treatment and support.

• We are aware of how people’s recovery can be held back by the barriers that stigma creates, often through problems encountered at work.

• To reduce stigma and discrimination we need much better education.

• Teaching people the facts about mental health problems and getting rid of the myths.

Mental Health Problems- The Facts:

• ALL mental health problems can be helped by:– Support– Talking Therapies– Medications

• The prognosis for the vast majority of conditions is very positive with the right help

• In most cases, even those with long term conditions can be supported to lead full & productive lives including employment.

Schizo, psycho, nutter, freak;

Crazy, loser, loner, geek. Mental, oddball, spacer, mad;

Loony, bonkers, dangerous, bad.

Wacko, threat, capable of killing;

Insane, scary, not the full shilling.

Animal, maniac, wrong in the head;

Violent, evil…better off dead.

Stigma?

• Diabetes• Epilepsy• Asthma…….______________________

• Depression• Alcoholism• Schizophrenia

Stigma?

• Diabetes• Epilepsy• Asthma…….

• Depression• Alcoholism• Schizophrenia

Warning Signs• An increase in unexplained absences or sick

leave.• Poor performance.• Poor-time-keeping.• Increased use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco or

caffeine.• Frequent headaches and backaches.• Withdrawal from social contact.• Poor judgement / indecision.• Constant tiredness or low energy.• Unusual displays of emotion, e.g. frequent

irritability or tearfulness.

Warning Signs

• Working slowly• Missing deadlines• Difficulty concentrating• Appearing numb or emotionless• Withdrawing from work activity• Overworking• Forgetting directives, procedures and

requests• Having difficulty with work transitions or

changes in routines

Mental Health Issues in the Workplace

• Be vigilant in the same way as you would for any health issues

• Don’t be afraid to ask

How to help

1. Be mental health aware

2. Good practices will be good mental health practices

3. Promote a culture of parity of esteem

How to help

• Encourage access to: Staff Support

services Occupational health GP Voluntary Support

Agencies*As appropriate

Promote Resilience & Recovery• Employment can be a key part of

both • Work is a major part of our lives. • It is where we spend much of our

time, where we may have most contact with other people, where we make our money and where we sometimes make our friends.

• Having a fulfilling job is good for your mental health and general well-being.

How to help

How to help• Be aware of your own

negative stereo-types & stigmatising attitudes

• Seek further advice & information as needed

• Stop. Think. Understand. Support.

Resources

• http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/usefulresources/workandmentalhealth/employer.aspx

• http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/usefulresources/publications/books/rcpp/1901242854.aspx

• http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/moreinformation/aboutourleaflets.aspx

Resources• www.amh.org.uk/• http://www.hse.gov.uk/

stress/furtheradvice/stressandmentalhealth.htm

• http://www.health4work.nhs.uk/mental_health_in_the_work_place/question_2

Resources

• http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/policy/physical-health-and-mental-health/

• http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/pdfs/manage-mental-health.pdf

• ‘‘All organisations say routinely ‘People are our greatest asset’. Yet few practice what they preach, let alone truly believe it’’

–Peter Drucker