Mental Health in the

Workplace

2018 Visayas-Wide Convergence of HRMPsMarch 22-23,2018

Minerva Peregrino-Molon,MD,MPH,FPPA,CESO III

Director IV, DOH RO8

1. To increase government workers level of understanding of mental health in the workplace

2. To increase awareness of the concept of stress and the stressors in the workplace

3. To be able to detect early symptoms of depression.

4. To identify doable coping strategies both for the self and the organization

5. To identify some stress reduction strategies to be applied in the work place

A state of wellbeing in which the individual realizes her/his own capabilities; copes with the normal stresses of life; works productively and fruitfully; and makes contribution to the community.

WHO,2016

Work is good for mental health but a negative working environment can lead to physical and mental health problems

Depression and anxiety have significant economic impact; the estimated cost to the global economy is US$ 1trillion/ year in lost productivity

Harassment and bullying at work are commonly reported problems, and can have substantial adverse impact on mental health

Mental Health in the workplace, Information Sheet, WHO, September,2017

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide

Productivity costs of depression associated with absenteeism and presenteeism across 8 countries-Mean annual per person costs for absenteeism were lowest in So. Korea at $181 and highest in Japan $2674;

Mean presenteeism cost per person were highest in USA $5524 and Brazil $5788.

Cost associated with presenteeism tended to be 5-10 times higher than those associated with absenteeism

Global Patterns of Workplace Productivity for people with Depression, Social Psychiatry Epidemiology, September, 2016

According to WHO, about 75% of the world labour force is based in the developing countries.

Mental illness and in particular Common Mental Disorders such as Depression and Anxiety are among the frequent causes of occupational disability. The burden of the CMDs is under recognized, despite its social impact.

Australian National Survey of Mental Health – only 38% with mental illness sought treatment.

New Zealand Mental Health survey-58% with serious disorders; 36.8% with moderate seek treatment in the preceding 12 months.

Mental health and the Workplace-Issues in Developing Countries, International Journal of Mental Health System, 2009

20 government agencies in Metro Manila

32% of employees reported experiencing mental health problems at least once in their lifetime.

Most common diagnosis – phobias, alcohol abuse and depression

( DOH-NEC, 2006)

Adults spend a third of their day in their workplace.

Work holds potential stressors for an individual as he needs to establish himself at his work.

Failure in work tends to devalue an individual’s self esteem.

Inadequate health and safety policies;

Poor communication and management practices;

Limited participation in decision-making or low control over one’s area of work;

Low levels of support for employees;

Inflexible working hours; and

Unclear tasks or organizational objectives.

(WHO, September 2017)

Stress refers to some kind of dissatisfaction with self or the situation one is in.

Stress is situational.

Stress is more a perception of the mind rather than a manifestation of conditions of life.

Sometimes an adequate level of constructive stress might lead to better performance or productivity.

Organizational Behavior, Virtual Learning, India,

1. Organizational Stress-

responsibility without authority

no role in decision making

authoritative leadership

bad working condition

downsizing or restructuring as their livelihood is at stake

2. Extraorganizational Stress-

Globalization

Technological or societal change

Family problems

Financial crisis

Personal Health

3. Group Stress

Differences in opinion of individuals in the group

Individual interests

Politics within the group

Acceptance or rejection by the group

4. Individual Stress

Time stress- when short of time for action

Anticipatory stress-while worrying about the future

Situational stress- when in uncontrollable situation; or emergency

Encounter stress- when is supposed to personally interact with too many people in a day.

Physical Problems- Chronic stress disturb the whole system of the body. Long term stress leads to musculoskeletal system problems, employees take time to recover, affecting relationships.

Psychological Problems-Constant and high level of stress generates anger, aggression, depression, irritation resulting to arguments

Behavioral Problems-A highly stressed person tends to take an off from his work too frequently, even gave up if too pressured.

A major depressive episode must have at least 2 weeks, and typically a person with a diagnosis of a major depressive episode also experiences at least four symptoms from a list that includes changes in appetite and weight, changes in sleep and activity, lack of energy, feelings of guilt, problems thinking and making decisions, and recurring thoughts of death and or suicide.

Synopsis in Psychiatry, 11the edition, Kaplan and Saddock’s,2015

Lifetime Rate

1. Major Depressive Episode

RangeAverage

5-1712

2. Dysthymic Disorder RangeAverage

3-65

3. Minor Depressive Disorder

Range 10

4. Recurrent Brief Depressive Episode

Range 16

Synopsis in Psychiatry, 11th edition, Kaplan and Sadock’s, 2015

Sex- 2 fold greater prevalence of major depressive disorder in women than men

Age- Mean age of onset of major depressive disorder is 40 years old; 50% of all patients with onset between 20-50 years old.

Marital status- Major depressive disorder occurs most often in persons without close interpersonal relationships and in those who are divorced or separated.

Psychosocial factor- Life events play a primary role in depression. Losing a parent before 11 y.o.; losing a spouse; unemployment are risk factors. Recent stressful events are most powerful predictors of the onset of a depressive episode.

Socioeconomic – Depression is more common in rural areas than in urban

Synopsis Of Psychiatry, 11th edition, Kaplan and Sadock’s,2015

1.Patients say they feel blue, hopeless, in the dumps, worthless

2. Emotion is describe as one of agonizing emotional pain and complain of being unable to cry.

3. 60% contemplate suicide, 10-15% commit suicide

4. 97% reduced energy, difficulty of completing tasks

5. 80%-trouble sleeping, early morning awakening

6. decreased appetite and weight loss

7. 90% with anxiety symptoms

8. Abnormal menses, decreased interest and performance in sexual activity

9. 84% subjective report of inability to concentrate

10. 67% impairment in thinking

Enhance the adult’s good coping mechanisms as they gain more tasks and responsibilities.

Maintain overall health and work efficiency of workers.

Facilitate good interpersonal relations among workers.

Provide for a stress-free environment.

Formulation and implementation of fair and just policies

Employee participation in the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of policies

The space allotted for each workers should be adequate, that is, he/she is able to move freely as demanded by the tasks to be done

Screens on doors and windows are installed when necessary, adequate lighting, electric fans and/or air conditioning units areprovided.

Piped–in music has been proven to increase worker satisfaction as well as their feeling of wellbeing.

Monthly meetings by unit supervisors/managers can be used to clarify issues and concerns including ventilation of grievances from the staff.

Team – building seminars and workshops are conducted to build good interpersonal relations and create a feeling of oneness among the employees.

Staff outings, often including some members of the worker’s family, may be held to provide employees with respite from routines. The brief change in environment provides stress relief.

Physical fitness activities (for about 30 minutes) such as aerobics and tai chi can be held once a week not only to promote physical activity among employees but also provide a venue for doing things together and nurturing a sense of belonging.

Organizations have responsibility to support individuals with mental disorders in either continuing or returning to work.

In particular- flexible hours, job redesign, addressing negative workplace dynamics, and supportive and confidential communication with management can help them return to work.

1. Protect mental health by reducing work-related risk factors

2. Promote mental health by developing positive aspects of work and building the strenght of employees-

3. Address mental health problems regardless of its cause.

COMMON COPING STRATEGIES

MASSAGE

MEDITATE

SEXGET HELP

CRY

SLEEP

SMOKE

SHOP

HIKE

SPORTS

SIGHTSEE EAT

WALK JOG

LAUGH

MUSIC

EXERCISE

THELMA S. BARRERA, RN

Individual Coping Strategies

The employees are personally accountable for reducing the stress level and work-life balance in their life.

A. Time management-

B. Physical exercise

C. Relaxation techniques

D. Social Network

E. Self Control

Organizational Strategies

A. Specific Goals and regular feedback of performance

B. Employee Involvement-

C. Strong Communication

D. Reward Employees-Recognition as greatest human reward

Sabbatical Leaves

Wellness programs

TALK IT OUT

ESCAPE FOR A WHILE (change of environment)

WORK OFF YOUR ANGER

THELMA S. BARRERA, RN

GIVE IN OCCASIONALLY

DO SOMETHING FOR OTHERS

TAKE ONE THING AT A TIME

THELMA S. BARRERA, RN

MAKE YOURSELF “AVAILABLE”

SCHEDULE YOUR RECREATION

THELMA S. BARRERA, RN

SMILE

SIESTA

SPORTS

SOCIALS

SCHEDULING

SPEAK TO ME

SPIRITUALITY

THELMA S. BARRERA, RN

SOUNDS & SONGS

SELF AWARENESS

STRESS DEBRIEFING

SENSATION TECHNIQUES

SENSIBLE DIET & EXERCISE

THELMA S. BARRERA, RN

Go home on time

Take a lunch break

Set Realistic Deadlines

Take your holiday leave

Allocate time to do the things you enjoy

God grant me the serenityTo accept the things I cannot change;Courage to change the things I can;And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;Enjoying one moment at a time;Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;Taking, as He did, this sinful worldAs it is, not as I would have it;Trusting that He will make all things rightIf I surrender to His Will;So that I may be reasonably happy in this lifeAnd supremely happy with HimForever and ever in the next.

Amen.

◦Thank your

◦for listening

2018 Visayas-Wide Convergence of Human Resource Management Practitioners

hr convergence

2018 Visayas-Wide Convergence of Human Resource Management Practitioners

The Oriental Leyte, Baras, Palo, LeyteMarch 22-23, 2018