AOHC Encore 2022-315: An Initiative to Safeguard and Promote the Mental Health

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Newman discusses mental health stigma in the workplace. He explains that stigma is an attribute that marks someone as less than fully human, leading to prejudice and discrimination. Different types of stigma, including individual, cultural, and structural stigma, form a stigma complex that affects mental health, productivity, and access to treatment.<br /><br />Dr. Newman presents data from national stigma studies, showing that a significant percentage of Americans are unwilling to work closely with individuals with mental health issues, including healthcare workers. He dispels myths surrounding stigma and emphasizes the need for evidence-based interventions to reduce it.<br /><br />The video also focuses on the burden of mental health issues among health workers. Studies show that stigma is a significant barrier to seeking treatment, with many healthcare professionals feeling uncomfortable due to stigma in their workplace and among colleagues. Efforts to address stigma and improve mental health in the workplace include primary prevention at the organizational level, awareness, intervention, and generating partnerships.<br /><br />The video includes findings from studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for better research, data collection, and collaboration among organizations and stakeholders. Creating a culture change and improving mental health in the workplace require disseminating information and creating partnerships for impact.<br /><br />The video credits the findings of various studies, including one from Johns Hopkins University on stigma among primary care physicians regarding opioids. It also credits research on ER physicians and mental health issues during the pandemic.

Keywords

mental health stigma

workplace

prejudice

discrimination

mental health

productivity

access to treatment

healthcare workers

barrier to seeking treatment

primary prevention

COVID-19 pandemic

research