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The Home Care and Community Health Support Pocketbook was created to bring awareness to several health and safety issues faced in home and community care.
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In long-term care it is increasingly apparent that who is on shift is just as important as how many staff are on shift. Quality care is difficult to achieve when we do not routinely engage with one another in a positive, or civil, manner.
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Leading from the Inside Out
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Leading from the Inside Out provides a safe space for leaders in continuing care to share their challenges and learn self-care practices.
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The Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum is recognized as best-practice in violence prevention training for health care workers.
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The Province has introduced a new masking policy for all healthcare workers who provide direct care effective immediately. Staff Requirements Visitor Guidance With an increase in viral respiratory illnesses (VRI) across the province, the Ministry of Health has introduced new masking measures to help control the spread of these illnesses. It's important to remember that […]
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Staff Requirements Visitor Guidance With an increase in viral respiratory illnesses (VRI) across the province, the Ministry of Health has introduced new masking measures to help control the spread of these illnesses. It's important to remember that masking is just one part of a comprehensive infection prevention and control (IPAC) strategy. To enhance your efforts, […]
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Psychological health and safety in the workplace

Psychological health and safety, often called workplace mental health, encompasses principles and practices to foster a supportive, respectful, and psychologically safe work environment.

Understanding psychological health and safety

Psychological health and safety, often called workplace mental health, encompasses principles and practices to foster a supportive, respectful, and psychologically safe work environment. It focuses on preserving and promoting the mental well-being of all employees while preventing psychological harm. This concept is paramount, especially in the health sector, where work can be demanding and emotionally challenging. Psychological health and safety in the workplace is a critical aspect of overall employee well-being.

What psychological health and safety can include:

  • Preventing psychological harm: Psychological health and safety involves identifying and mitigating factors that can contribute to mental stress, illness, or injury. This includes addressing workplace bullying, harassment, excessive workloads, and inadequate support systems.
  • Promoting mental well-being: It also emphasizes proactively promoting mental well-being among employees. This can be achieved by creating a workplace culture that supports work-life balance, resilience, self-care, and open communication about mental health.
  • Supporting employee resilience: Health sector employers should recognize their employees' unique stressors, including exposure to traumatic events and high-pressure situations. Providing resources for resilience-building and coping strategies is vital.

Application for management in the healthcare sector

Leadership Commitment

Management is crucial in setting the tone for psychological health and safety.

Management is crucial in setting the tone for psychological health and safety. Leadership commitment is essential for creating policies, programs, and initiatives prioritizing mental well-being. Managers should lead by example and champion mental health at all levels.

Policy Development

Develop and implement clear policies and procedures.

Management should develop and implement clear policies and procedures related to psychological health and safety. This includes addressing issues like workplace harassment, providing resources for mental health support, and ensuring that employees know their rights and responsibilities.

Training and Education

Invest in training programs.

Managers should invest in training programs to equip themselves and their employees with the knowledge and skills to identify signs of mental health issues, provide support, and access available resources.

Open Communication

Encourage open and non-stigmatizing communication.

Encouraging open and non-stigmatizing communication is vital. Managers should create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns and seeking help when needed.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Assess the workplace for potential psychological hazards.

The management is responsible for assessing the workplace for potential psychological hazards and evaluating mental health initiatives' effectiveness. Adjustments and improvements should be made based on feedback and data.

Application for employees in the healthcare sector

Self-care

Actively engage in regular self-care practices to maintain your mental well-being.

Employees should actively engage in self-care practices to maintain their mental well-being. This includes managing stress, seeking social support, practicing work-life balance, and recognizing the signs of burnout.

Report concerns

Report psychological health and safety concerns to your supervisor.

Employees should report psychological health and safety concerns to their supervisors or HR departments. Reporting can help identify issues early and initiate necessary interventions.

Participation

Participate in mental health programs, training, and initiatives.

Employees should actively participate in mental health programs, training, and initiatives their organization provides. Their input and feedback can be valuable in shaping these programs to be more effective.

Peer support

Provide and accept emotional support and understanding from your colleagues.

Building a culture of peer support is essential. Colleagues can often provide valuable emotional support and understanding to one another, especially in high-stress environments like the health sector.

In the health sector, where the well-being of both patients and staff is at stake, prioritizing psychological health and safety is not just an ethical obligation but also a fundamental element of providing high-quality care. Management and employees must work together to create a workplace that nurtures mental well-being and ensures everyone can thrive while maintaining their mental health.

Why it's important

  • It enhances employee well-being and resilience.
  • It reduces stress, burnout, and mental health issues.
  • It leads to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
  • It ensures legal compliance and meets national standards.

We are dedicated to providing resources and guidance to help organizations prioritize workplace psychological health and safety.

Our Commitment to Workplace Psychological Health and Safety

We are here to assist organizations in aligning with the national standard set by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Our commitment Includes:

  • Providing comprehensive resources and tools.
  • Offering training and support for leadership and employees.
  • Promoting safe work behaviours and safety leadership at all levels.
  • Advocating for policy development to support the implementation of the national standard
  • Delivering evidence-based solutions to workplace health and safety challenges.
  • Upholding integrity and accountability in all our interactions.
  • Upholding integrity and accountability in all our interactions.
  • Embracing innovation as a catalyst for positive change.
  • Provide organizations with a tailored gap analysis to assess their psychological health and safety and provide a baseline, recommendations, education, and strategies for sustainable change.

We invite organizations to partner with us on this journey toward a mentally healthy and safe workplace.

Our Psychological Health and Safety Policy

At SafeCare BC, we've developed a comprehensive Psychological Health and Safety Policy. This policy outlines our commitment to creating a workplace that prioritizes mental health and safety, aligning with the national standard. This policy covers:

  • Clear objectives for promoting psychological health and safety.
  • Strategies to prevent psychological harm and support employee well-being.
  • A commitment to continuous improvement through feedback and assessment.
  • Employee responsibilities and involvement in the implementation of the policy.

Our Declaration of Collaboration

We proudly declare our commitment to advancing psychological health and safety in the workplace. The Declaration of Commitment to Psychological Health and Safety in Healthcare is a public commitment from health organizations to show that they value their staff's psychological health and safety and commit to taking action to improve their work environments.

In signing, we aim to:

  • Share knowledge and resources to create mentally healthy workplaces.
  • Advocate for policy development that supports psychological health and safety.
  • Collaborate on research and initiatives that drive progress in this vital field.

Join us in this journey toward a safer and healthier workplace for all.

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We strive to empower those working in the continuing care sector to create safer, healthier workplaces by fostering a culture of safety through evidence-based education, leadership, and collaboration.
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