Managing mental health at work
As mental health issues get discussed more, it’s part of a health check-in at the worksite. Sarah Davies-Robertson and Dr. Farhan Shahzad look at ways you can check in at work.
Once upon a time, mental health at work was overlooked. We often ignored issues in the workplace, seeing a person as weak and unable to cope with the demands placed upon them. Nowadays, we are much more sympathetic. We understand that work can cause all kinds of illnesses due to stress. There are musculoskeletal disorders due to lack of ergonomics; burnout and brownout due to stress; and anxiety and depression due to lack of compatibility with your job. That said, organisations can be the source of stress, but individual employees are multifaceted and complex. Perhaps an employee is predisposed to a psychiatric disorder, or maybe they even have one already. Workplaces cannot always be the source of blame, but if a person already has a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, then it is imperative that they are treated with kindness and supported through their journey. Treating someone with a mental health disorder requires knowledge, just as we do with those with physical health problems. A psychiatric disorder may look invisible, it’s not as obvious as physical illness, but it, nevertheless, requires care and compassion. So, how can organisations help those with mental health problems? Firstly, they can learn to identify what they are. Then, they can work with individuals to tailor a support plan. Just as you would give someone time off who had chemotherapy appointments, you would also need to give a person time to visit their therapist. Working with each employee on an individual basis is key.
What can organisations do to promote staff well-being?
The physical aspect of being a tradesperson is often overlooked. Manual labour and physical stress can cause chronic disorders that lead to psychological stress. Back pain, for instance, is an active stressor that comes with a psychological cost. If you are experiencing pain, get it checked out so that it does not lead to a chronic backache. If you are waking up at night and worried about the days ahead, speak to your GP for a possible referral. Low mood, anxiety and stress can be helped and the sooner you speak to someone, the better. While it can be difficult to speak out about unfair treatment, there are options if you’re being harassed and bullied at work. Consider making a complaint to human resources or speaking to FairWork Australia about any organisational issues. Remember, you are never alone and speaking up can help save your mental health.
How does this impact tradies?
There are some things that you can do to protect your back and prevent text neck and pain during time at home. This includes doing stretches such as the exaggerated nod; simply counteract the forward tilting by tilting your head and neck back, squeezing your shoulders too.
The very common Pilates pose known as the downward dog is also very useful. There are lots of YouTube clips to help you perform this stretch safely at home.
Holding your phone at eye level can also help ensure that you are not straining your neck. Ensuring that you’re carrying out work tasks properly is also imperative.
When lifting machinery or doing any heavy lifting, ensure that you do so safely. Organisations should have strict manual handling procedures and ensure that these are implemented and observed by everyone.
Repetitive motions can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, so break up tasks where possible and ensure that you do things slowly and correctly. Cutting corners is unsafe, especially when there are clear safety guidelines in place. Likewise, where machinery can be used instead of human labour, opt for machinery and have people managing it. It is better and more cost effective than ill health.
Team building activities such as exercise, Pilates classes and stretching can also be a great way for staff to bond and protect their health. Buddying up can also offer greater accountability.
Prevention is better than cure, so ensure you do some simple exercises and stretches to help prevent back pain and getting a sore neck.
Remember, it is far better for organisations to invest in the health of their staff than to face lengthy legal consequences. It is also better for individual employees to manage their health and wellbeing, ensuring greater longevity in the workplace.
Dr Farhan Shahzad FAFOEM MFOM FRCPI
Consultant Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Investing in Knowledge
About Us
Welcome to Mededucation Online, your premier destination for medical education and professional development. We are committed to empowering healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers and provide the best possible care to their patients. Read More…
Acknowledgement Of Country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
