Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Minds

Last month we discussed the mental health conference Bottom Line; a two day event all about mental health in the workplace. This is a current hot topic as the Mental Health Commission of Canada also touched upon the health workplaces in their monthly newsletter.

The MHCC reveals a report by Martin Shain, PhD all about how to create conditions that lead to a healthy workplace for both employers and employees. Shain defines a healthy workplace as one that makes all efforts to protect the mental health of its employees. Besides creating a healthy environment, employees need acknowledgement, resources and support to be happy in their jobs.

Shain outlines five steps workplaces can take to reduce risks that could lead to to mental illness:

1) Routinely identify psychological and physical job hazards that could lead to risks

2) Conduct regular internal reviews of data pertaining to mental health of employees

3) Have a system in place to respond to risks in an organized and prioritized way

4) Have access to a broad range of information that provides validated practical responses to risks

5) Create and implement policies and procedures concerning the prevention and management of mental health disorders

Be proactive in your workplace and take these steps as a way to create healthy spaces for happy employees.

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