LIVING WELLNESS
Tips to protect your mental health at work Prioritize your wellness in the workplace
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communication skills, selfadvocacy training and conflictresolution skills are helpful in any kind of workplace environment.
ork or being employed is good for our mental health. It not only provides income and status in society, it expands our social life, helps us feel productive and also motivates us to achieve bigger things in life. However, a negative work environment and stressors related to the job have an impact on our physical and mental health. It is important that employers support the mental health of all employees recognizing their unique needs and challenges, and employees prioritize their mental health and seek support at work. Mental health problems are common in workplaces with some sectors seeing higher rates than others. Depression, burnout, anxiety disorders, alcohol dependence and suicide are some of the problems associated with exposure to stressors at work. When workers experience mental health problems, it has impact not only on the affected individuals and their families, but also on co-workers and morale of workforce as well. Some employees experience mental health problems differently due to race, gender, job type, immigration status and other factors. Many new immigrants and refugees work in physically demanding jobs, may be assigned fewer hours than others and could also have higher qualifications than the job. Often, immigrant workers do not report their workplace problems, injuries or experiences of discrimination due to fear of being fired and not having an income. Language barriers and not having social support networks in a new country can be a challenge in seeking treatment or care.
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Take work breaks to boost your energy and also work performance (especially when you are working from home). It can be relaxing and a distraction from the challenges of work activity and also prevent burnout.
9. Participate
women, migrant farm workers and new immigrants experienced a mental health crisis due to job losses, poor working conditions and managing multiple demands at work and at home. If finding another job is not an option, workers can always try to improve the situation and protect their own mental health. Here are some tips to protect your mental health at work:
1. Understand your role, job description and expectations clearly in any job you take as it helps you to know where you fit in and what is expected of you. 2.
Read the employee handbook, policies and benefits that are provided carefully to seek support and advocate for your rights when a need arises.
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Identify problems early enough and ask for help with issues such as bullying, sexual or psychological harassment by bringing it to the supervisor’s attention or the union When COVID-19 hit our country, representative. Long-term exposure those employed in nursing homes, to a toxic atmosphere affects mental service industries, small businesses, health.
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CANADIAN IMMIGRANT Volume 17 Issue 5 | 2020
in wellness initiatives at work and expand your awareness and knowledge about mental health. This can help you to look for signs of distress in yourself and others, and also what steps to take. Early professional support and treatment can reduce risks for mental illness.
4. Communicate with your managers and peers periodically and handle any negative feedback 10. Support your physical health effectively and provide any by getting good sleep, eating comments in a professional manner healthy and engaging in physical activity. This has positive effects and not as a personal attack. on your overall mental health and 5. Utilize your vacation and sick energy levels. days and use your mental health day Employers who recognize work(if you have one in your employee benefits plan). This can help you to related influences on the mental relax, rejuvenate and better prepare health of employees and commit to you to handle issues at work with a improve psycho-social conditions, support work-life balance and relaxed approach. offer mental health support will be 6. Seek mentors at your rewarded with increase in employees’ workplace to get support and job performance and loyalty to the guidance. If you are new to the workplace. Employees who have job country and the work culture and satisfaction, good relationships with job roles are different, it is helpful peers and know how to get help can to have someone to talk to – if increase their overall happiness you are working remotely during levels in life. The pandemic is posing this pandemic, schedule virtual additional challenges to work life conversations when possible. with remote work options and new health and safety protocols. Effective 7. Access any additional training engagement is going to be vital for opportunities to help you succeed employers and the employees to with co-workers and supervisors ensure a positive and healthy work on your team. Language training, environment. Nandini Tirumala is a mental health wellness coach, educator and advocate with 25 years of experience in Canada with a special focus on mental health support services for newcomers and immigrant families.
