Importance of Mental Health
A webinar on caring for our mind, body, and spirit with NIRC of ICAI.
Sana Sharif Ansari
Counselling Psychologist
Today we will talk about:
1
What is mental health and why is it becoming a crucial part of every discussion?
2
3
Mental Health and Interventions at workplace
Mental Health in India.
4
Recognising signs, and symptoms and how to deal with them.
5
Q & A session
What is
Mental Health?
Is it a state of mind?
Understanding mental health
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.
Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.
Self-awareness and self-knowledge.
Traits commonly found in a ‘normal’ individual:
Reality orientation.
Self-esteem and acceptance.
Voluntary control over behaviour.
Ability to form affectionate relationships.
Pursuance of goal directive activities.
A “normal” individual.
“We are all temporarily abled, throughout life, people go through their phases of being abled and then something unexpected comes along, if nothing then old age spares none. “
“Mental health” and “mental illness” are health states at the opposite ends of a continuum.
Mental Health exists on a continuum which is experienced differently from one person to the next, with varying degrees of difficulty and distress.
As indicated by the continuum, mental health problems are common: we all experience problems in daily living at the milder end of the continuum; and at some point in our lives, we are likely to experience emotional problems or concerns.
Mental illness, though less common, is nevertheless a frequent occurrence.
Mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of age, culture, race, gender, ethnicity, economic status or location.
Having good mental health is more than the absence of
illness. Rather, it's a state of holistic well-being.
More than a
State of Mind
When we are mentally healthy, we can
realize our abilities, cope with stress, work productively, and contribute to society.
Mental Health is Integral
Why is it crucial to talk about it?
More Common than You Think
experienced a mental health concern in the past year.
1 in 5 adults
The findings of the National Mental Health Survey 2015-16 (10) by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) estimated that nearly 150 million individuals suffer from one or the other mental disorders of varying severity, comprising 10.5% of the population.
Crucial to talk about it because it is affecting everyone.
Mental illness is a concern to employers not only because of the suffering experienced by individual employees, but because of its impact on the workplace.
Poor mental health at the workplace can be a contributor to a range of physical illnesses like hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, amongst others.
Mental Health in Workplace
Mental Health Issues Affect Everyone
It can happen to anyone.
With an average of 47.7 working hours every week, Indians are seventh on the list of countries that work the most globally.
When compared with the ten largest economies globally, India has the longest average work week.
-International Labour Organisation Report
In addition to this, the minimum statutory wage of an Indian worker is the lowest in the world (except for some sub-Saharan African countries).
Mental Health Interventions for Workplace
Employee well-being programs also improve employee engagement significantly.
Employee recognition and constructive feedback practices also contribute to higher employee engagement levels.
Most importantly, employee well-being programs improve productivity and morale.
When employee well-being is optimized, employees focus more on their work, and their productivity increases.
The available evidence highlights that health promotion activities, psychosocial intervention along stress management training have a positive impact
on mental wellbeing.
Are workplace interventions effective?
Strategies for fostering Positive Mental Health
Encourage collaboration in the organization to boost teamwork, competitiveness, and employee morale
Formulate grievance redressal mechanism to listen and address employee's concerns.
Promote regular and constructive feedback.
Train employees on psychological first-aid and peer counseling.
Strategies for fostering Positive Mental Health
Introduce periodic general health screening.
Establish in-house psychological counselling services or formulate linkages with mental health professionals.
Flexible work options,
Introducing health initiatives like an organization-wide competition in running or cycling,
There are several serious types of mental health problems you might encounter in the workplace, but the ones you will most likely encounter are anxiety, depression, Attention Deficit Disorder and problems associated with substance misuse.
Frequent late arrivals | Decreased productivity | Disorganization, or Increased errors and missed deadlines | Decreased interest or involvement in work | Decline in dependability |
Signs to lookout for in workplace settings:
There are several serious types of mental health problems you might encounter in the workplace, but the ones you will most likely encounter are Anxiety, Depression, Attention Deficit Disorder and problems associated with Substance misuse.
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering | Avoidance of social interactions or public presentations | Frequent complaints of fatigue or unexplained pains | Displays of anger or blaming others | Confused or distracted appearance |
Signs to look for in General behaviour of an individual:
How Do I Maintain Positive Mental Health?
Practical tips and advice
Problem-based coping
Coping skills & stratergies
Coping skills are the tactics that people use to deal with stressful situations.
Coping skills help you tolerate, minimize, and deal with stressful situations in life.
Emotion-based coping
focuses on changing a particular situation.
are centered on changing how you feel.
Connect
with others.
Acknowledge
your feelings.
Early
Intervention
Encourage time off
Short breaks
throughout
the day
Healthy
Boundaries
Exploring Hobbies
Finding joy and meaning outside of work
How to take care of your Mental Health?
Spending time with your loved ones.
How to take care of your Mental Health?
Relaxation Techniques
Deep Breathing
Aromatherapy
Yoga
Helping people around
Join a community
Teach a child
Help an NGO
Exercises
The word motivation was derived from a Latin word which means “to move”.
Find a form which helps you stay consistent.
When do I seek professional help?
Thank you for your attention.
Don't hesitate to ask questions or to seek help.