W07 Psychological Health and Safety 2025

Week 7 - Psychological Health & Safety

  • Course: OHSD 2209 Human Behaviour in OHS

  • Institution: NAIT

  • Objective: Studying psychological health and safety in the Canadian context.

Topics for Today

  • Mental Health in Canada

  • Psychological Health and Safety (PHS) - Definition

  • PHS Factors

  • PHS Hazards

  • Strategy and Implementation

Status of Mental Health in Canada (2024)

  • Mental health has worsened significantly post-pandemic:

    • 1 in 5 Canadians experiencing a mental health disorder.

    • 38% of Indigenous people and 26.1% of Canadians rated their mental health as "fair" or "poor" in 2021.

    • Canada holds the 2nd highest opioid death rate (2023).

    • 21% of Canadians face drug or alcohol use disorder.

    • Nunavut and the Prairie Region have the highest suicide rates.

    • 50% of Canadians report unmet mental health needs.

Status of Mental Health in Canadian Workplaces

  • 70% of working Canadians say their work negatively affects their mental health.

  • 500,000 Canadians take sick leave each week due to mental illness, costing the economy approximately $51 billion annually.

  • 36% of workers on Long-Term Disability (LTD) cite mental health as their primary diagnosis.

Psychological Health and Safety (PHS) - Definitions

  • Psychological Health: A well-being state where an individual acknowledges their abilities and copes effectively with life’s stresses, leading to productive work and contribution.

  • Psychological Safety: The assurance of no harm or threat to mental well-being in the workplace.

Components of Psychological Health and Safety

  • A harmonious psychological state developed through:

    • Balanced physical, cognitive, emotional, and social health.

    • Supportive and safe environment promoting personal growth.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT)

  • Focuses on three primary psychological needs:

    • Autonomy: Control over personal goals and actions.

    • Competence: The ability to perform tasks successfully and effectively.

    • Relatedness: A sense of belonging and connection with others.

Positive Outcomes of Meeting Psychological Needs

  • Meeting psychological needs fosters:

    • Increased job satisfaction.

    • Higher employee engagement.

    • Improved job performance.

    • Reduced employee turnover.

Psychosocial Risk Factors in the Workplace

  1. Balance: Support in managing work and personal life demands.

  2. Civility and Respect: Fair treatment among stakeholders.

  3. Clear Leadership: Understanding of expectations and confidence in leadership.

  4. Engagement: Positive work interactions promoting motivation.

  5. Growth and Development: Encouraged personal and professional skill enhancement.

  6. Involvement and Influence: Employee input in decisions affecting their roles.

  7. Organizational Culture: Shared values leading to trust and accountability.

  8. Protection of Physical Safety: Ensuring a secure work environment.

  9. Psychological Competencies & Demands: Matching capabilities with job requirements.

  10. Psychological Protection: Freedom from bullying and discrimination.

  11. Recognition and Reward: Fair acknowledgment of achievements.

  12. Workload Management: Reasonable and manageable workloads.

Psychosocial Hazards

  • Examples of psychosocial hazards:

    1. Bullying/Harassment

    2. Career Development

    3. Civility and Respect

    4. Job Control

    5. Job Demands

    6. Organizational Culture

    7. Work-Life Balance

    8. Workload

PHS Strategy and Intervention Framework

  • External Guidelines and Standards:

    • CSA-Z1003: Framework for preventing psychological harm and promoting well-being.

    • ISO 45003: Provides guidelines for psychological health and safety at work.

  • Organizational Commitment: Visible leadership commitment and addressing fears regarding change or effort.

  • Employee Involvement: Involving employees in decision-making and feedback.

  • Training and Education: Regular training on mental health and resilience building.

  • Risk Assessment & Control: Regular evaluations of psychological hazards.

Intervention Process for PHS

  1. Eliminate: Remove conditions threatening well-being.

  2. Substitute: Implement health-promoting policies.

  3. Redesign: Create a safe work environment.

  4. Educate: Promote safety awareness.

  5. Encourage: Foster personal health changes.

Exam Details

  • Format: 50 questions, Multiple Choice, Total of 68 points

  • Weight: 20% of total evaluation

  • Study Material: Weeks 1-6 of lecture and assigned readings.