4 minute read
make mental health a priority
from ENGAGE Winter 2023
by ENGAGE_FSLA
by karla pena rosa, ph.d.
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We are survivors of a post Covid-19 pandemic world. Increasing staff burnout and short staffing challenges in the healthcare field, violence, and school shootings, in short, a hectic world. We are all familiar with an everchanging and challenging landscape in our day-to-day lives. A quick search of recent population and work health statistics clearly indicates a mental health crisis in society and in our workplaces. More than ever, we require strategies for stress management and resources to offer them to our employees. We all know that we should make mental health a priority, but how do we accomplish this? In this brief, we offer some actionable strategies for personal and organizational changes that we hope help you set the tone for a more mental health conscious 2023.
Start by setting healthy boundaries
Studies show that personal and jobrelated stress are leading sources of anxiety for American adults. In a world where technology and constant information streams keep us connected to news sources, social media, and our email accounts, we could easily find ourselves working around the clock. Commit to make personal changes by setting healthy boundaries. Reclaim some free time and prevent overwork by learning to say ‘no’ without guilt. At the organizational level, we must communicate to our team that we are completing a marathon, not a sprint. Encourage your team to take regular breaks and institute mental health days. By saving our energy we can achieve more in the long run and make great progress towards work-life balance.
Notice your emotions
Our emotions matter. As human beings, we all experience strong emotions, and this is normal. The key here is to learn how to notice them and address them, not to ignore them, or react from a place of emotional unrest.
An actionable strategy is to get into the practice of responding versus reacting. I use this example in therapy often: Imagine what your dog would do if you served them food and attempt to remove the bowl before they are finished. That is the perfect example
of a reaction, driven by impulse and instinct, and not a thoughtful act. We are sure our dog loves us, but this event triggers a primal response. Neurologically speaking, when we experience an unpleasant event or a stressful situation, such as a verbal altercation, our initial reactions will come from the more instinctual amygdala brain region, and hence, not activate a frontal lobe response. We must give ourselves some time (seconds really) to engage beyond the immediate reflex to a thought out ‘executive function’ from our frontal lobe to be able to respond. Have you ever heard anyone say, “count to ten”, this is the essence of that principle. Empower your staff with the knowledge to respond and not react to work stressors and situations.
Engage in wellness practices
Developing a daily meditation practice is a very practical way to make time for yourself and make mental health a priority. This millenary practice is now backed by significant research, and easier than ever to develop. All you need is 5-10 minutes, and you can even use an app to guide you. The objective is to stay in the moment, noticing what comes up in your mind without judgment and gently refocusing to your own breath. Daily meditation has been proven to alter brain waves and even improve cognitive functioning over time. Meditation does not need to be an esoteric practice; it can be a practical way to learn acceptance and connect with our breath and bodies.
Practice gratitude
Media messages are constantly bombarding us with the latest gadget, trend, and “must-have”. Is easy to fall into a tendency that can harm your wellbeing if you are focused on what we lack. Try a daily practice of being grateful for what you have, like your loved ones, coworkers, your health, and a roof over your head. Studies show that simple daily gratitude practice can ease anxiety and depression as we create a positive state of mind that will help us deal with life stressors more effectively.
Educate your staff about mental health and burnout
An excellent employee can experience burnout if they are exposed to chronic work-related stressors. Turning them from engaged and committed to disconnected and apathetic. Encourage identification of mental health issues and work-related stress by providing in-service education. Offer safe pathways for your staff to seek help by approaching management and human resources. Work to communicate that there is no stigma or negative repercussions associated with seeking help. Build up your leadership and management team’s emotional intelligence, and encourage leading by coaching, to help employees through rough patches and help them recover.
Advocate for organizational changes
Looking for actionable steps to set mental health as a priority? Visit the following free resource websites for step-by-step instructions and examples of successful programs you can adapt to your organization, no matter the size. The start of a new year is the perfect time to make mental health awareness a priority.
karla pena rosa, ph.d.
Clinical Psychologist Business Development and Clinical Consultant Huntingdon Behavioral Health
American Medical Association (AMA) www.ama-assn.org offers strategies to manage and reduce staff burnout. Surgeon General workplace wellbeing priority campaign https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/workplace-well-being/resources/index.html offers step by step strategies to promote wellbeing and mental health friendly workplaces. National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Pledge-to-Be-StigmaFree/StigmaFree-Company/Resources has strategies and free campaigns to declare your workplace mental health stigma free.
