scholarly journals Safety and mental health of employees during COVID-19 pandemic: Medical and legal aspect

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Vladica Sibinović ◽  
Aleksandra Ilić-Petković
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Legal Aspect ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Safety Measures ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
The World

Supporting mental health has nowadays become the main concern of employers since a growing number of employees is facing the problem of anxiety, loneliness, depression and the like. These problems were particularly emphasized with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. In significantly changed working conditions around the world, employees and employers have faced mental health problems that are related to numerous stressors and factors related to the pandemic. Given the circumstances, the question is how to protect the mental health of employees in order to preserve their productiveness and well-being after the crisis. The legal system has a very important role in this process, especially the regulations concerning occupational safety and health and labor law in general because it sets the framework which enables the subjects of employment to maneuver their rights and obligations during the pandemic. Therefore, this framework is a key element in taking occupational safety measures in order to preserve the mental health of employees.

scholarly journals Toward an Expanded Focus for Occupational Safety and Health: A Commentary

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 4946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Schulte ◽  
George Delclos ◽  
Sarah A. Felknor ◽  
L. Casey Chosewood
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
New Professionals ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Worker Health ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Concept ◽  
Total Worker Health

Powerful and ongoing changes in how people work, the workforce, and the workplace require a more holistic view of each of these. We argue that an expanded focus for occupational safety and health (OSH) is necessary to prepare for and respond rapidly to future changes in the world of work that will certainly challenge traditional OSH systems. The WHO Model for Action, various European efforts at well-being, and the Total Worker Health concept provide a foundation for addressing changes in the world of work. However, a paradigm expansion to include the recognition of worker and workforce well-being as an important outcome of OSH will be needed. It will also be vital to stimulate transdisciplinary efforts and find innovative ways to attract and train students into OSH professions as the paradigm expands. This will require active marketing of the OSH field as vibrant career choice, as a profession filled with meaningful, engaging responsibilities, and as a well-placed investment for industry and society. An expanded paradigm will result in the need for new disciplines and specialties in OSH, which may be useful in new market efforts to attract new professionals. Ultimately, to achieve worker and workforce well-being we must consider how to implement this expanded focus.

scholarly journals Occupational safety and health education and training: an innovative format and experience

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Pietrafesa ◽  
Sergio Iavicoli ◽  
Agnese Martini ◽  
Rosalba Simeone ◽  
Antonella Polimeni
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
New Professionals ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Training Courses

Health begins at home and in community where people live and work, in fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being’. Experts and professionals, of all sectors and specialities, need to take account the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in all aspects of their working lives. Mainstreaming OSH into education concerns integrating one policy area – OSH – into another – education. This study started from a first analysis of an international and national OSH training offer, in which  some critical aspects emerged: there are mostly sectoral training courses, qualifying some prevention actor roles, most linked to traditional risks, and primarily focused on the safety aspects rather than the health ones. The current study is related to an innovative format and experience for an integrated management of OSH in the evolution of the world of work. The concept was born from the need to train new professionals figures when the rapid demographic changes and technological innovation are changing the working world and therefore also the required skills to prevention actors. A first test has been conducted on 26 students who attended the first edition of this innovative training. 

scholarly journals COVID-19 and the World of Work Dynamics: A Critical Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
A. M. Ogaboh Agba ◽  
Stepen I. Ocheni ◽  
Michael Sunday Agba
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Social Fabric ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 has a profound impact on the world of work globally. It has altered the social fabric of the workplace and significantly accounts for the loss of normalcy in the world of work. As this threat continues, this paper sought to critically review the impact of COVID-19 on specific areas of the world of work. The study established the link between nCov and global loss of jobs. It critically examined how COVID-19 impacts on teleworking, occupational safety and health, workers mental health, discrimination, physical and social distancing at the workplace. Overwhelmingly, the paper concluded that COVID-19 exacerbates existing cracks in the world of work and its sustainability affects workers’ mental health, social relations, escalate discrimination and unemployment globally. The study suggested policy reforms as global remediation to the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the world of work.

scholarly journals Mental Health at Work Place

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
Susmita Halder ◽  
Akash Kumar Mahato
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Long Working Hours ◽  
Workplace Mental Health ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Mental health denotes a symptom free mind and fair level of emotional well being. Be it home or workplace; mental health of an individual is subjected to environmental stressors that may reduce one’s state of well being. The workplace in particular can be a very tiring environment for anyone. The stress of long working hours, ever increasing targets, managing coworkers and subordinates can take a toll on a persons mind and prove very toxic to one's mental and physical health in long run. It is difficult for persons with full blown mental illness to continue at work; but it generally takes a gradual course, before an individual shows full blown symptoms of a particular illness. Thus it becomes necessary to constantly check mental health and stress level of workers. The article discusses mental health, particularly in work place occupational stress and the related issues.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i1.5915 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012) 2-6

scholarly journals Workplace well-being in the London-Chinese business community

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Bertotti ◽  
Ifeoma Elizabeth Dan-Ogosi ◽  
Mala Rao
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk

Purpose Workplace well-being is key to improving health and therefore productivity. Although the Chinese population and their influence on business in the UK are growing rapidly, little is known about the attitudes of Chinese employers and employees towards workplace well-being. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a qualitative study to explore the views of Chinese employees and employers in London and interviewed occupational health and workplace well-being experts. Findings Employers’ understanding of workplace well-being was limited, their approach was reactive rather than proactive. Contextual factors hampered most efforts towards workplace well-being. Employees reported that working conditions were generally poor with likely implications for employees’ physical and mental health. Generational and migratory changes further complicate the scenario but potentially usher in positive change. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted in a London area with a high density of Chinese businesses. The study nevertheless covered only a limited selection of business sectors. Caution may therefore be necessary in assuming the transferability of these findings to other parts of the UK. Practical implications Chinese businesses are agreeable to being informed about and considering the business case for workplace well-being. Chinese workers need better working conditions, easier access to health services preferably delivered through Chinese-based networks of community and business associations which are trusted by both employers and employees. Originality/value This study offers novel evidence on the attitude of Chinese employers and employees towards workplace well-being by comparing views from both groups. Chinese people face considerable health and mental health problems through their work environment, in contrast with conclusions from the Health Survey for England and Labour Force Survey.

Continuity of ADHD Across the Lifespan

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S33-S33
Author(s):  
P. Asherson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Mental Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionFor many years ADHD was thought to be a childhood onset disorder that has limited impact on adult psychopathology. However, the symptoms and impairments that define ADHD often affect the adult population, with similar responses to drugs such as methylphenidate, dexamphetamine and atomoxetine to those seen in children and adolescents. As a result, there has been a rapidly increasing awareness of ADHD in adults and an emergence of new clinical practice across the world. Despite this, treatment of adult ADHD in Europe and many other regions of the world is not yet common practice and diagnostic services are often unavailable or restricted to a few specialist centres.ObjectiveHere we address some of the key conceptual issues surrounding the continuity of ADHD across the lifespan, with a focus relevant to practicing health care professionals working with adult populations.ConclusionsWe conclude that ADHD should be recognised within adult mental health in the same way as other common adult mental health disorders. Failure to recognise and treat ADHD will be detrimental to the well being of many patients seeking help for common mental health problems.Disclosure of interestThe author declares that he has no competing interest.

scholarly journals Supporting the emotional needs of young people in care: a qualitative study of foster carer perspectives

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e033317
Author(s):  
Rachel M Hiller ◽  
Sarah L Halligan ◽  
Richard Meiser-Stedman ◽  
Elizabeth Elliott ◽  
Emily Rutter-Eley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Qualitative Focus Groups

ObjectivesYoung people who have been removed from their family home and placed in care have often experienced maltreatment and there is well-developed evidence of poor psychological outcomes. Once in care, foster carers often become the adult who provides day-to-day support, yet we know little about how they provide this support or the challenges to and facilitators of promoting better quality carer–child relationships. The aim of this study was to understand how carers support the emotional needs of the young people in their care and their views on barriers and opportunities for support.Design and participantsParticipants were 21 UK foster carers, recruited from a local authority in England. They were predominantly female (86%), aged 42–65 years old and ranged from those who were relatively new to the profession (<12 months’ experience) to those with over 30 years of experience as a carer. We ran three qualitative focus groups to gather in-depth information about their views on supporting their foster children’s emotional well-being. Participants also completed short questionnaires about their training experiences and sense of competence.ResultsOnly half of the sample strongly endorsed feeling competent in managing the emotional needs of their foster children. While all had completed extensive training, especially on attachment, diagnosis-specific training for mental health problems (eg, trauma-related distress, depression) was less common. Thematic analysis showed consistent themes around the significant barriers carers faced navigating social care and mental health systems, and mixed views around the best way to support young people, particularly those with complex mental health needs and in relation to reminders of their early experiences.ConclusionsFindings have important implications for practice and policy around carer training and support, as well as for how services support the mental health needs of young people in care.

Comparing the social networks of service users with long term mental health needs living in community with those in a general adult in-patient unit

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110175
Author(s):  
Roberto Rusca ◽  
Ike-Foster Onwuchekwa ◽  
Catherine Kinane ◽  
Douglas MacInnes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
The Social

Background: Relationships are vital to recovery however, there is uncertainty whether users have different types of social networks in different mental health settings and how these networks may impact on users’ wellbeing. Aims: To compare the social networks of people with long-term mental illness in the community with those of people in a general adult in-patient unit. Method: A sample of general adult in-patients with enduring mental health problems, aged between 18 and 65, was compared with a similar sample attending a general adult psychiatric clinic. A cross-sectional survey collected demographic data and information about participants’ social networks. Participants also completed the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale to examine well-being and the Significant Others Scale to explore their social network support. Results: The study recruited 53 participants (25 living in the community and 28 current in-patients) with 339 named as important members of their social networks. Both groups recorded low numbers in their social networks though the community sample had a significantly greater number of social contacts (7.4 vs. 5.4), more monthly contacts with members of their network and significantly higher levels of social media use. The in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Conclusions: People with serious and enduring mental health problems living in the community had a significantly greater number of people in their social network than those who were in-patients while the in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Recommendations for future work have been made.

scholarly journals Reducing Substance Use and Improving Mental Health Among Construction Workers: An Interview With Chris Trahan Cain

2021 ◽  
pp. 104829112110301
Author(s):  
Alando Hall
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Building Trades ◽  
The North ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Prevention Methods

Construction workers, their unions, and the construction industry face important challenges in addressing substance use disorders and mental health issues. To examine these issues further, we spoke with Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director of CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training, a nonprofit organization that is affiliated with North America’s Building Trades Unions and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. As the chair of the North America’s Building Trades Unions opioid task force, she has been working with construction unions and employers to develop primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention methods to help combat the opioid epidemic, other substance use disorders and to improve worker mental health.

scholarly journals Dual impacts of coronavirus anxiety on mental health in 35 societies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Xiaohua Chen ◽  
Jacky C. K. Ng ◽  
Bryant P. H. Hui ◽  
Algae K. Y. Au ◽  
Wesley C. H. Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Psychological Adaptation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Emotional Symptoms ◽  
Perceived Vulnerability

AbstractThe spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected both physical health and mental well-being around the world. Stress-related reactions, if prolonged, may result in mental health problems. We examined the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in a multinational study and explored the effects of government responses to the outbreak. We sampled 18,171 community adults from 35 countries/societies, stratified by age, gender, and region of residence. Across the 35 societies, 26.6% of participants reported moderate to extremely severe depression symptoms, 28.2% moderate to extremely severe anxiety symptoms, and 18.3% moderate to extremely severe stress symptoms. Coronavirus anxiety comprises two factors, namely Perceived Vulnerability and Threat Response. After controlling for age, gender, and education level, perceived vulnerability predicted higher levels of negative emotional symptoms and psychological distress, whereas threat response predicted higher levels of self-rated health and subjective well-being. People in societies with more stringent control policies had more threat response and reported better subjective health. Coronavirus anxiety exerts detrimental effects on subjective health and well-being, but also has the adaptive function in mobilizing safety behaviors, providing support for an evolutionary perspective on psychological adaptation.

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