Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Healthcare Workplaces

Supporting healthcare workplaces to embed mental health inclusion Rachel Gray Project Officer (Health and Social Care Settings) Bryony Mole Project Officer (Workplace Settings)

Time 10:00 Activity Welcome and Introduction 10:05 See Me: Healthcare Workplace Stigma Employer Perspective: Shared learning from Caroline McDowall, Work Well Specialist Lead, NHS Lothian Work Well programme Q&A Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination in Healthcare Workplace Settings Shared learning from a lived experience perspective from See Me volunteer, Chik Duncan Reflections and Close 10:10 10:25 10:30 10:40 10:50

Safer space agreement Keep yourself safe Share only information that is yours to share take time out if you need to. Respect Everyone has different views and experiences. Treat people how you would like to be treated. Confidentiality What s shared here by people shouldn t be discussed outside.

Scotland's national programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination Change behaviours, cultures and systems People with experience of mental health problems are respected, valued and empowered We prioritise the settings where people experience greater levels of stigma and discrimination: Education Healthcare and social care Employment.

Stigma and Discrimination Stigma is the negative attitudes or beliefs based on a preconception, misunderstanding or fear of someone with a mental health problem. Discrimination is when a person, an institution, or organisation performs an action, whether intentional or unintentional, that creates barriers and inequality for people with lived experience of mental health problems

The Scottish Mental Illness Stigma Study (SMISS), 2022

The impact for employees

The impact for employers Fear of stigma and discrimination at work: Results in increased long term sickness absence Gets in the way of retaining staff (i.e. existing knowledge and expertise) Could impact on quality of services to clients (and relationships) Cost to employers of poor mental health increased to 56bn in 2020-21 ( 45bn in 2019). Presenteeism from mental ill-health alone costs the UK economy 15.1bn a year, almost 2x the cost of actual absence from work.

Employer Perspective: Work Well Caroline McDowall, Work Well Specialist Lead, NHS Lothian 'Work Well - Introducing proactive mental wellbeing support for all in NHS Lothian'

Employer Perspective: Work Well Employer Perspective: Work Well Q&A

Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination in Healthcare Workplace Settings

Intersectional Stigma Structural inequality impacts people with social identities that intersect across race, sexuality, disability, or gender. How do negative experiences of inequality intersect with and compound experiences of stigma and discrimination relating to mental ill health? Identity-based stereotypes and mental health

See Me identifies 4 types of stigma Structural Stigma Self-Stigma Stigma by Association Public Stigma

Staff Mental Health in Healthcare Settings Demand for provision impacted by capacity and resources Negative mental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, EU Exit, Cost of Living Crisis Elevated risk of stress, burnout, moral injury, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges among healthcare workers. Existing inequalities and mental health disparities Fear of disclosure and seeking help

Tackling stigma in healthcare workplaces Ensure that all Equality Diversity & Inclusion related policies explicitly state that mental health is included in the definition of disability. Review ALL organisational policies and procedures to ensure that the commitment to employee mental health is embedded and not siloed. Empower and include people with lived experience of mental health problems in shaping the decisions that affect them.

Take a whole organisational approach: 7 key building blocks for mentally inclusive workplaces Conditions for safe, effective and pertinent disclosure Senior leadership commitment and engagement Mental health awareness and literacy Effective mental health training approaches Confident and informed line management Effective Stigma-free organisational culture and ethos implementation of reasonable adjustments

Making the case to senior leaders: Tools and resources to help you The legal, moral and business case Thriving at Work report (and ROI) Cost calculator See Me in Work brief See Me in Work self-assessment tool Seven building blocks video playlist Leadership and SMiW video Spotlight on leadership

The benefits of getting it right 80% of people said that they consider an employer s mental health support or policies before accepting a job. Increased employee engagement. Increased productivity. Increased customer/client satisfaction. Reduced long term sickness absence. Reduced levels of stress and burnout. Lower rates of staff turnover. American Psychological Association (APA) 2022 Work and Well-being Survey

Lived Experience Perspective Chik J Duncan Writer, Story Teller and Performer of Poyums

Reflections

Signposting - support links Personal support Qwell: https://www.qwell.io/samh Free and anonymous online emotional wellbeing and mental health support from qualified mental health professionals, as well as peer support from the Qwell community. More information See Me www.seemescotland.org Breathing Space: www.breathingspace.scot SAMH www.samh.org.uk (training available) Shout: 24hr Textat 85258 Samaritans: 24hr Phone 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org