Mental wellbeing is about the health of an individual, not a stock check on their capabilities and limitations or a function of their workload
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affect people and communities. Policies must support and care for those affected by mental health conditions, and protect their human rights and dignity..." The above was the background to the policy brief on COVID-19 and mental health that was launched by the United Nations in May 2020. A year later, we have made progress, however, are yet to The time to act is now tackle mental well-being for “After decades of neglect everything it encompasses. and underinvestment in There is an urgent need to mental health services, the bring immediate attention COVID-19 pandemic is now hitting families and commu- to a much-needed alteration nities with additional mental in how the global economy stress. Those most at risk are is addressing mental illfrontline healthcare workers, ness and mental health, to have any chance at beating older people, adolescents, and young people, those with the looming psychological pandemic. We must not let pre-existing mental health conditions, and those caught the lines blur and remember that mental well-being is up in conflict and crisis. We about the health of an indimust help them and stand vidual, not a stock check on by them. Even when the their capabilities and limitapandemic is brought under tions or a function of their control, grief, anxiety, and workload. depression will continue to july 2021 | why educating the workforce, as well as leadership on mental health issues, is crucial to drive meaningful change and foster a safe workplace that paves the way for honest conversations, and eliminates the sense of threat to acceptance by peers, job security, and career path in the organization.
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more important,” said Louis Gagnon, CEO of Total Brain. Gagnon added that while many employers and leaders exhibit empathy and understanding, they’re not fully aware of the “range of issues and challenges their employees are facing, nor the fear employees have about coming forward seeking help.” While role modeling conversations is crucial, it would be unfair to expect leaders to open up about their personal challenges, especially in the absence of psychological safety that keeps employees from opening up as well. In such scenarios, leaders being human too, would feel as vulnerable and exposed, as employees. So how do we do it? Among the many ways to foster psychological safety, a key mechanism is to break down misconceptions and educate the workforce. A lack of understanding is a key contributor to the ignorance we often display, which could be unintentional too. This is
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