Mental health in the workplace - Insight
Optical dispenser Nicole Grasso discusses burnout, stress and mental health in the ophthalmic industryand what can be done to help. Nicole Grasso. Image: Nicole Grasso. Working in the optical industry entails a. . .
Optical dispenser Nicole Grasso discusses burnout, stress and mental health in the ophthalmic industryand what can be done to help. Nicole Grasso. Image: Nicole Grasso. Working in the optical industry entails a continual task list to complete daily while also shifting our roles depending on what the people around us need; from coworker, to friend, mentor, supervisor, manager, employer or a safe space. A survey1in 2019 asked 505 optometrists about their mental health and wellbeing. It revealed that nearly one in three people were experiencing moderate to significant psychological distress, with similar results for depression and anxiety. One in two respondents experienced key signs of burnout such as emotional exhaustion and becoming cynical about their work. And one in four felt they were not performing as effectively at work as they wanted. A healthy amount of stress can be motivating to meet deadlines or finalise projects; an unhealthy amount becomes debilitating. We as human beings all have different stress tolerances; burnout looks different on everyone. As defined by the World Health Organization, mental health is: ‘The state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’. One in five Australian workers will experience a mental health condition in any year. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs addresses the concept that an individual needs to have their basic needs met before they can focus on their higher-level needs. If their safety needs are not being met, that person may feel anxious, tense, and uncomfortable in their environment and experience a lack of motivation to reach self-fulfilment needs. This can lead to anxiety or burnout if the working environment continues to lack safety and security. We can start with creating a psychologically safe workplace in which people are comfortable expressing and being themselves and they feel comfortable sharing concerns or mistakes without fear of embarrassment or retribution. 2We perform best when we feel safe. Creating a safe environment encourages people to be candid and speak up when they need help, it removes the barrier of fear when admitting to mistakes or when discussing feedback. There are a range of ways we can help to identify early signs of burnout and implement intervention. Some early signs include:Intrapersonal –Persistent fatigue, poor concentration, sleep issues, anxiety. Interpersonal –Cynicism, irritability, reduced empathy, dissatisfaction. Occupational –Absenteeism, errors, unhealthy overcommitment, team deterioration. Mental health first aidMental health first aid explores ways you can support a person experiencing a mental health crisis. In optics we are not employed as therapists, much to our customers’ disappointment sometimes. Assisting someone can start with initiating a genuine conversation and finding time and space where you both feel comfortable to talk. Initiating a change of environment such as going to a local coffee shop or going for a walk outside to get some Vitamin D can reduce barriers for open communication. Optics is filled with people who thrive at fixing issues; it is our bread and butter, but Mental Health First Aid shows that when helping a person struggling with mental health, we should be mindful to listen and communicate non-judgementally and not rush to ‘fix’. Most people want someone to listen empathetically before offering options and resources. Once they feel they have been listened to, it can be easier to receive support and accept practical help. A block of chocolate is not going to make everyone happy, and neither are you. There are a variety of health professionals who provide help to people for mental illness. General practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, and case managers can all assist a person in different ways. In Australia, 45. 1% of people with a 12-month mental health disorder saw a medical professional for their mental health. 3Health & support services:• Optical Dispensers Australia Members MAP (Member Assistance Program)• Lifeline – 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. • Beyond Blue – 24/7 counselling, information and online forums for anxiety, depression and general mental health. • Workplace Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)• General practitioner (GP) and referral pathway. References:1. Bentley SA, Black A, Khawaja N, Fylan F, Griffiths AM, Wood JM. The mental health and well-being survey of Australian optometrists. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2021 Jul;41(4):798-807. doi: 10. 1111/opo. 12823. Epub 2021 Apr 20. PMID: 33877691. 2. Amy Edmonson, The Fearless Organisation, 2019. p. xiv3. Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing Canberra: ABS; 2020-2022. About the author:Nicole Grasso is a qualified optical dispenser and an optical trainer at the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD). She also dispenses at The Optical Co and has a certificate in Mental Health First Aid.