Psychological health is a vital part of overall well-being. It includes an individual’s ability to recognize and express their emotions, empathize with others, adapt to life events and function in social roles. Psychological health also includes a harmonious relationship between body and mind. It is a dynamic state of internal equilibrium and can be affected by various factors, including personal, environmental and socioeconomic stressors.
People of all ages can benefit from having good psychological health. However, people with mental illnesses are at greater risk of poorer outcomes, such as higher medical costs and less successful job performance. These conditions can also lead to isolation and lower quality of life. Fortunately, help is available for people with mental illnesses and many of them find recovery. Treatment options include therapy, medication and other self-care techniques. In addition, education, community awareness and support groups can all make a difference.
Many people don’t get the mental health care they need because of stigma or because they don’t know where to go for assistance. But there are many resources for those in need, including online services and community clinics, and family and friends can be a valuable resource as well. It is important to seek help as soon as possible, since a delay in treatment can have serious consequences.
The effects of mental illness can have far-reaching ramifications and can impact every aspect of a person’s life. In addition to increased medical costs, decreased work efficiency and productivity, and reduced social opportunities, a lack of psychological health can cause problems in everyday activities such as eating, sleeping and engaging in recreational activities.
Some studies show that having good psychological health is linked to a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising regularly and consuming a balanced diet. Other research has found that having good psychological health is related to positive emotional states and a strong sense of belonging.
There are a number of workplace factors that can impact employee mental health, including a culture of negativity, excessive workload and harassment. Organizations that make the effort to identify and address psychosocial risks have been shown to experience improvements in workforce performance. The Canadian Standard for Psychological Health and Safety (CSA) has been created to provide a framework for organizations of all sizes to adopt in order to ensure the psychological safety and well-being of their employees. MyWorkplaceHealth offers consultation, training and coaching in workplace PH&S and is a founding member of the Technical Committee that developed the 13 psychosocial factor frame adopted by the CSA. For more information about establishing a psychologically safe and positive working environment, contact Dr. Samra, CEO & Founder of MyWorkplaceHealth.