b'MENTAL HEALTHCreating a safe spaceto talk aboutmental healthBy Scott MitchellW hen workers in long-termIn any given year, one in five peopleand coping strategies taught in The care experience mentalin Canada will personally experienceWorking Mind were invaluable and distress, they need to feela mental health problem or illness,they wished they had access to this safe enough to talk about their mentalreports the Canadian Mental Healthinformation years ago, says Micheal health with their manager and withAssociation. Unfortunately, researchPietrus, Director of Opening Minds, their team. They need to know theyshows that stigma prevents 40% ofMHCCs award winning anti-stigma are supported, what resources arepeople with anxiety or depressioninitiative. Were very pleased to available to them, and how to accessfrom seeking medical help.partner with the Research Institutethose resources. for Aging to bring forward this Reducing stigma starts withprogram to long-term care workersTo create a psychologically safe andeducation. When long-term careacross Ontario.healthy workplace in long-term careleaders and team members are where everyone feels supported, wetrained to understand mental health,Liz Horvath, Manager of Workplace need to reduce the stigma associatedrecognize signs and symptoms ofMental Health at MHCC, says, The with mental illness. mental distress, and know how toneed to protect the psychological offer support to a colleague, theyhealth and safety of workers in the Negative attitudes and beliefscan create a safer space at work thatlong-term care sector is essential. As toward people who have a mentalenables everyone to talk about theirnoted in our newly released policy health condition are rooted in fearmental health and to ask for helpbrief, Examining Two Psychosocial and misunderstanding. Stigmawhen needed.Factors in Long-Term Care During is widespread and often leads tothe COVID-19 Pandemic, research discrimination. For someone whoTo tackle this stigma, the Schlegel- has shown that the mental health is struggling to cope with a mentalUW Research Institute for Aging (RIA)of health care workers has been health condition, stigma can makehas partnered with the Mental Healthexacerbated by exposure to them reluctant to seek support.Commission of Canada (MHCC) toCOVID-19, with 77% reporting provide free mental health educationworsening mental healthand the for long-term care homes in Ontario.long-term care sector has been the Enter The Working Mind (TWM)most strongly affected.Healthcare: an interactive, facilitator-led training program that providesAll long-term care homes intools to promote mental health in theOntario are encouraged to sign upYour Trusted Technology Partner workplace while also reducing thefor free mental health training, Nurse Call stigma of mental illness.supported by the PSW Education Wander Management Fund. The fund provides tuition Wireless Emergency Call Developed by MHCC in collaborationand backfill reimbursement for all CCTV with mental health experts andparticipants, including your leadership Access ControlReporting Software health care professionals, TWM isteam. For details, visit https://Wireless Locate an evidence-based program thatpswfundltc.ca/the-working-mind-Sta Duress includes three core modules forhealthcare/ LTCTSmart Phone Integrations all team members to increase their Public Addressself-awareness and take care of their Proudly servicing Ontario Long Term Care homesown mental health. For leaders and for over 35 years managers, a fourth module offersScott Mitchell is a Knowledge Contact us today for a free nopractical tools to support the mentalBroker at the Ontario Centre obligation consultation of your nursehealth of individual employees for Learning, Research and call technology needs. and teams. Innovation in Long-Term Care, 519-679-7370 hosted at the Schlegel-UW Visit us online @ www.mediamulti.com We have heard time and time againResearch Institute for Aging.from participants that the training 54 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2022'