Mental Health Convergence
Ask someone who participated in the Mental Health in the Workplace Convergence held in Simcoe Hall’s Council Chambers on Wednesday April 23
rd and they’ll tell you that you can learn a lot in five minutes.
Those present at the convergence, co-hosted by the University of Toronto and the Work and Well-being Research and Evaluation Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, had the chance to hear from 19 experts conducting research on or addressing a wide variety of issues relating to mental health in the workplace.
The research presented was as varied and complex as the issues that surround employment and mental health. Present were experts in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, sociology, employment, health economy and physical education and health, human resources, employee assistance and consumer survivors.
The convergence, co-chaired and facilitated Dr. Donald Wasylenki, Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Dr. Angela Hildyard, Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity, allowed each presenter five minutes to give a brief overview of their current research or work.
Those present were introduced to programs designed to reintegrate people with mental health issues into the workplace and informed about the importance of early mental health assessment and intervention in cases of injured workers. Attendees were also made aware of stresses introduced when new technology and schedule demands blur the boundaries between work and home and asked to consider the role physical activity can play in easing workplace mental health concerns.
The variety of presentations highlighted what Professor Hildyard noted in her opening remarks as the “increased complexity of [mental health] issues that have come forward” and provided examples of how employers, including the University of Toronto, can respond to these issues in “compassionate, but appropriate ways”.
In thanking the presenters Dr. Wasylenki remarked that work is the ultimate confirmation of identity, offering the example that in most cases upon meeting someone the first question they ask is “How are you?” and the second is “What do you do?” It is because work plays such a significant role in our lives that this research and these meetings are so valuable.
The organizers plan to review the evaluations and develop a series of seminars to explore the research in more detail.
It is Mental Health Week. This year's theme is Mental Health: Make it Your Business. To learn more visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website http://www.cmha.ca/bins/index.asp