Oct. 10 Is World Mental Health Day 2021: Mental Healthcare for All

The pandemic has had a major impact on mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected and this year's World Mental Health Day recognizes that fact.
The pandemic has had a major impact on mental health. Some groups, including health and other frontline workers, students, people living alone and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected and this year’s World Mental Health Day recognizes that fact.

The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet.” – Dr. Naomi Rachel Remen.

On World Mental Health Day, October 10, it will have been more than 18 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the theme of World Mental Health Day is “Mental Health Care for All: Let’s Make It a Reality” (##WorldMentalHealthDay).

In some countries, life is returning to something close to “normal.” In other countries, rates of transmission and hospital admissions remain high, continuing to disrupt the lives … Read more...

Mental Health Month: 5 Ways to Stay Positive, Connected and Motivated


The natural world is a gift to us all and one we should not take for granted – from fresh air, to sunlight, to the smell of fresh grass or the sound of the ocean, there is beauty to be found in the everyday.

Like many of us over the last 12 months or so, I have been acutely aware of how the effects of the pandemic, and the impact of remote working, reduced social interaction, increased uncertainty, negative media (you get the jist!) could take significant and lasting effect on my mental health and wellbeing. Each and every one of us are living in extraordinary times and whilst the magnitude of this ‘new normal’ cannot be underestimated or ignored, I have recognised that the answer to not only surviving, but indeed thriving in extraordinary times, is in fact very ordinary!

With this in mind, I wanted to take the … Read more...

May Is Mental Health Month. Are You Checking in with Friends, Coworkers and Family Members?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis has impacted not only the physical health but the mental health of people around the world.

Here at Intelex, we focus a lot on occupational safety and health. What goes unsaid is that mental health is just as essential to workplace safety as safety management systems and personal protective equipment. Now more than ever, people are feeling disconnected from friends, family and coworkers. The COVID-19 pandemic not only has negatively impacted mental health for many people, it has created barriers to treatment.

Millions of adults and children around the world experience mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. According to a statement released by the White House, nearly one in five Americans – some 52 million adults – lives with a mental health condition.

“Those living with mental health conditions are our family, friends, classmates, neighbors … Read more...

Transforming Theory into Practice: The Importance of Highly Engaged Leadership in Managing the Mental Health of their Employees

In the words of clinical psychologist and author Noam Shpancer, “Mental health is not a destination, but a process.”

This process varies from individual to individual and is directly impacted by environment and personal circumstances. More importantly, it’s not a journey that can always be solved alone—whether in your personal life or at work.

While it is complicated and multi-faceted, it warrants taking the time to understand it in depth.


The Current Definition of Mental Health


Historically, the definition of mental health was myopic in nature. Today, however, it has transformed into something broader. According to the World Health Organization, the definition of mental health is “more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities. Peak mental health is about not only avoiding active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness.”

Now that we have a more accurate view, let’s take a look at how serious an … Read more...

A Darker Shade of Orange: How to Thoroughly Understand and Effectively Manage Autumn Anxiety

While some people enjoy the changing of the seasons (I happen to be one of them), I will say this: it’s not always an easy transition. You can often feel down – at least at the subconscious level – without even realizing it. It’s not always easy to comprehend, much less simple to identify the reasons why you feel the way that you do. If you’re anything like me, you somehow rationalize it and often dismiss it.

But that’s just pulling the wool over our own eyes, isn’t it?

If we actually took the time to research whether this is a legitimate condition or not, we’d realize that the answer – according to the experts in the field – is a reverberating yes.


Understanding the Science Behind it All


Before attempting to tackle the issue head on, it’s important to understand the issue in its entirety, starting from its true … Read more...

Safe + Sound Week: Redefining Health – Achieving Completion by Incorporating Mental Health

In the words of acclaimed poet Robert Frost: “the best way out is always through.”

While that saying can be applied to many different things, I found it especially relevant to that of the perception of mental health. It is an area which not only has been underestimated or downplayed for years, but also has been deemed unsolvable. In recent years, it’s become more than evident that neither of these schools of thought are accurate.

Full disclosure: I’m not a professional in the mental health field. I am, however, a professional in the ESHQ software space and the H in EHSQ represents health. Recently, EHS practitioners are learning “health” now includes mental health.

More importantly though, this topic hits home for me. In my close network of family and friends, two people have been afflicted with mental health-related issues. As such, I’ve seen firsthand how it not only impacts them … Read more...

Making Your Working from Home Routine Work for You: 10 Tips and Tricks to Help Keep You Productive and Healthy

How to maximize your efforts when working from home.

Did you know that in the United States alone, even before COVID-19, over 5 million people, representing about 4% of the total population, work from home at least 50% of the time? In fact, some experts predict that in less than 20 years, over 70% of corporate employees will be working remotely. With COVID-19 quarantine as a part of our reality today, for many, working from home has gone from being an option to the only choice we have.    

So what does this mean, exactly? For starters, that it is not a temporary fad.  It also means is that while it is important to prepare for telecommuting (particularly for those of you who haven’t done so yet), it is equally as important to understand how best to do so, while remaining productive and active.

What Organizations are Doing to Adapt to Read more...

OSHA’s HazCom Requirements, FAA to Study Pilot’s Mental Health and More!

On this week’s edition of EHS This Week we’ve got the week’s top stories in environment, health and safety news:

  • Campbell’s Soup Expands Fertilizer Optimization Programs
  • OSHA’s Revised HazCom Requirements Now in Effect
  • Aviation Experts to Study Pilots’ Emotional, Mental Health

Remember to write us with your suggestions, questions and comments. Also, if you are an industry expert and ever want to take part in the program, we’d love to have you. Until next week, enjoy the program!

EHS This Week Resources

For more information on the stories and resources mentioned in this week’s podcast, check out the links below.

  • Campbell Soup Company joins EDF initiative to reduce environmental impact of food production. Click here
  • OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Website. Click here.
  • FAA Will Study Pilots’ Mental Health. Click here

[audio: 2015/06/EHSTW-060515.mp3]… Read more...

Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental Health Week is May 4-10, 2015, and many take this opportunity to discuss how to best support those who are living with mental illness, or to work to reduce the stigma around mental illness. Mental health in the workplace is another important theme that’s popping up more and more these days.

Canadian statistics show that at least 20 percent of the population will experience mental illness at some point in our lives. But what about those other four people in that statistic? Are they mentally healthy?

One concern is that by limiting the conversation to mental illness, we may not be opening ourselves up to the ways in which we can and should be promoting mental well-being throughout our lives and, yes, our workplaces.

While it is vital to provide a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, and to ensure accommodations are made for mental illness where they … Read more...

Mental Health Month, New BSEE Regulations, California GHG Reduction and More!

On this week’s edition of EHS This Week we’ve got the week’s top stories in environment, health and safety news:

  • Mental Health Month
  • Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
  • New BSEE Regulations for U.S. Offshore Oil
  • California Green House Gas Emissions Cuts

Remember to write us with your suggestions, questions and comments. Also, if you are an industry expert and ever want to take part in the program, we’d love to have you. Until next week, enjoy the program!

EHS This Week Resources

For more information on the stories and resources mentioned in this week’s podcast, check out the links below.

  • May is Mental Health Month. Click here
  • Motorcycle Tips for Workers. Click here.
  • New BSEE Regulations for U.S. Offshore Oil. Click here
  • California Targets Green House Gas Reduction. Click here

[audio: 2015/05/EHSTW-050115.mp3]… Read more...