Impact of Mental Fitness on the
Workplace
Department of Healthy and Inclusive Communities
April 15, 2013
Definitions
Mental Health
Mental Fitness
Mental health is not just the
absence of mental disorder.
It is defined as a state of
well-being in which every
individual realizes his or her
own potential, can cope with
the normal stresses of life,
can work productively and
fruitfully, and is able to make
a contribution to her or his
community.
WHO
Mental fitness is a sense of
well being (positive thoughts
and feelings) experienced
when our needs for
competence, autonomy and
relatedness are met.
GNB
Definitions
Mental Health
Mental Fitness
Mental health is not just the
absence of mental disorder.
It is defined as a state of
well-being in which every
individual realizes his or her
own potential, can cope with
the normal stresses of life,
can work productively and
fruitfully, and is able to make
a contribution to her or his
community.
WHO
Mental fitness is a sense of
well being (positive thoughts
and feelings) experienced
when our needs for
competence, autonomy
and relatedness are met.
GNB
Definitions
Psychological Wellness
Mental Fitness
Psychological wellness falls
within a broad field of study
that examines quality of life
issues that share many
common characteristics,
such as happiness, life
satisfaction and morale
(Kozma, Stones & McNeil,
1991). It stands to reason
that definitions of
sychological wellness
abounds.
Mental fitness is a sense of
well being (positive thoughts
and feelings) experienced
when our needs for
competence, autonomy
and relatedness are met.
GNB
Mental Health
Prevention
Promotion
Intervention
Promotion
Mental Health Continuum
Fitness
Wellness
Sickness
• Manager identify and
resolve issues early
and efficiently
• The supervisor know
the resources in the
workplace and promote
them to his team
• Workplace offer
workshops on stress
management
• Workplace offer free
massage during the
lunch hour
Sickness
• Manager say hi to each
employees every
morning
• Supervisor know very
well the strenghts of his
team and use them
often for the workplace
• Workplace offer the
opportunity to
employees to express
their opinions and
suggestions to improve
the workplace
environment.
Wellness
Fitness
Mental Health Continuum
• Manager suggest to an
employee who is
struggling with
symptoms of
depression to contact
EFAP program
• Supervisor approve
sick leave of someone
who is having diffculty
with family situation
happening at home
• Workplace offer initial
help to an employee
who’s going through a
crisis with through with
a certified MHFA.
Comprehensive Workplace Wellness
Prevention
Comprehensive
Workplace
Wellness
Promotion
Intervention
Rethinking our approach
Comprehensive Workplace Wellness
Prevention
Comprehensive
Workplace
Wellness
Promotion
Intervention
Comprehensive Workplace Wellness
Prevention
Comprehensive
Workplace
Wellness
Promotion
Intervention
Fitness
Mental fitness at work
• Manager say hi to each employees every
morning
• Supervisor know very well the strenghts of his
team and use them everyday
• Workplace offer the opportunity to employees
to express their opinions and suggestions and
apply the recommendations to the workplace.
Creating an Autonomy Supportive
environment by satisfying the CAR needs
The research indicates:
• Increases in employees’ intrinsic motivation in the workplace (Lam
& Gurland, 2008)
• Decreases in reported oppositional attitudes and behaviours (GNB,
2009)
• Lower probability of smoking (GNB, 2009)
• Increases in a sense of connectedness to the workplace (GNB,
2009)
• Report fewer turn-over intentions (Lam & Gurland, 2008)
• Greater psychological well-being (Deci & Ryan, 2000)
• Lower rates of absenteeism (Brun & Cooper, 2009)
• Higher productivity and organizational effectiveness (Lowe, 2010)
How to bring CAR in your workplace
Best practices in workplace
It all comes down to relationships
When managers are facing a bigger challenge
with an employee, it is important to a relationship
of trust with that employee.
By applying the following approach (CAR),
managers build an environment of trust and
respect where it will have an impact on the
employee’s wellness.
Examples of CAR approach in the
workplace
A great supervisor is a leader who
can change his approach to address
the needs of the individual he
supervise.
Discussion/Questions/Comments
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