Panel Discussion: Mental Health Days

WCCO - CBS Minnesota

12 Jul 201703:29

Summary

TLDRThe video script highlights the importance of mental health days in the workplace. Madeleine Parker's boss commends her for openly taking time off to focus on mental well-being, setting an example for others. The script addresses the reality of mental health struggles, such as anxiety and depression, and emphasizes the need for self-care and support from employers. It also touches on the potential for abuse of such policies but ultimately celebrates the shift towards greater awareness and education about mental health in the workplace.

Takeaways

🌟 Mental health days are becoming more recognized and accepted in the workplace as a legitimate need for self-care and rejuvenation.
👍 The boss's supportive response to Madeleine Parker's email highlights a positive and understanding management approach towards mental health.
🤔 The script acknowledges that while mental health days are important, there is a concern about potential abuse of this benefit, similar to sick days.
🔄 The concept of 'sick and tired' days is introduced, emphasizing the need for time to recharge, especially for those dealing with conditions like depression and PTSD.
🏥 Mental health is portrayed as an illness that can have physical manifestations, requiring more than just a brief rest.
💼 The script suggests that acknowledging mental health in the workplace can lead to increased productivity and a healthier work environment.
👮‍♂️ It draws a parallel between the need for self-care in high-stress jobs like law enforcement and journalism, where workers are often exposed to traumatic events.
📢 The importance of self-care is emphasized, especially for those in professions that regularly deal with the aftermath of crime or tragedy.
🛑 The script calls for companies and managers to support mental health days, suggesting that this is a sign of a progressive and caring workplace culture.
📈 There is a noted shift towards employers offering more programs and education around mental health, indicating a growing awareness and commitment to employee well-being.
🌱 The narrative encourages a culture where bosses are seen as advocates for mental health, setting an example for a supportive work environment.

Q & A

What does Madeleine Parker plan to do for her mental health?
-Madeleine Parker plans to take a day off to focus on her mental health, hoping to return refreshed and at 100% the following week.
How did Madeleine's boss respond to her taking a mental health day?
-Madeleine's boss sent a follow-up message expressing gratitude for the email and acknowledging the importance of using sick days for mental health, considering Madeleine an example to others.
What is the approximate percentage of adults who suffer from mental health issues?
-Approximately one in five adults suffers from mental health issues.
What does the speaker suggest as a reason for taking a mental health day?
-The speaker suggests that taking a mental health day is necessary to recharge one's batteries and to be back at work at full capacity.
What term does the speaker use to describe days taken for mental health?
-The speaker uses the term 'sick and tired days' to describe days taken for mental health.
How does the speaker describe the physical reaction to dealing with anxiety or depression?
-The speaker describes the physical reaction to dealing with anxiety or depression as a very real and significant experience, much more than just needing to sit down for a few hours.
What does the speaker believe is the impact of acknowledging mental health in the workplace?
-The speaker believes that acknowledging mental health in the workplace leads to better productivity.
What does the speaker suggest about how mental health days should be treated like other sick days?
-The speaker suggests that mental health days should be treated similarly to sick days for physical illnesses, such as diabetes or arthritis.
What advice does Christy Teague give to young reporters regarding mental health?
-Christy Teague advises young reporters to take care of themselves and to understand the importance of self-care, especially when dealing with stressful situations like crime scenes.
How does the speaker describe the shift in employer attitudes towards mental health?
-The speaker describes a significant shift where employers are starting to offer more programs, awareness, and education regarding mental health, indicating a positive direction.
What does the speaker appreciate about their managers?
-The speaker appreciates that their managers understand the importance of mental health and encourage self-care, wanting their employees to be at their best.

Outlines

00:00

💆 Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace

The script discusses the importance of mental health days, as exemplified by Madeleine Parker who openly communicates her need for time off to focus on mental health. Her boss supports this initiative, recognizing it as a reminder of the necessity to use sick days for mental well-being. The script highlights the prevalence of mental health issues among adults and the physical manifestations of conditions like anxiety and depression. It emphasizes the positive impact of addressing mental health in the workplace, comparing it to taking a sick day for physical illnesses, and calls for a cultural shift towards greater acceptance and support from employers and managers.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Mental Health Day

A 'Mental Health Day' is a day off from work specifically taken to focus on one's mental well-being. In the video, Madeleine Parker's boss acknowledges the importance of such days, recognizing them as necessary for employees to return to work refreshed and at their best. This concept is central to the video's theme of prioritizing mental health in the workplace.

💡Productivity

Productivity in this context refers to the efficiency and effectiveness of an individual's work. The video suggests that taking mental health days can paradoxically improve productivity by allowing employees to recharge and return to work in a better state of mind, as exemplified by the boss's acknowledgment of the importance of mental health days.

💡Mental Health

Mental health encompasses a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The video highlights the prevalence of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, and the importance of addressing them. It emphasizes that mental health is as critical as physical health and should be treated with equal seriousness in the workplace.

💡Depression

Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. The script mentions that some individuals, including those who have served in the military, suffer from depression, and it is acknowledged as a serious condition that can have physical manifestations, affecting one's ability to work effectively.

💡PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. The video script refers to PTSD in the context of military service, indicating that it is a common issue among veterans and underscores the need for support and understanding in the workplace for those dealing with this condition.

💡Self-Care

Self-care involves activities that individuals engage in to take care of their mental, emotional, and physical health. The video script encourages self-care, particularly for reporters who often deal with traumatic events, emphasizing the importance of taking time to decompress and ensure one's well-being before returning to work.

💡Workplace

The workplace is the environment where people engage in their jobs or occupations. The video discusses the importance of a supportive workplace culture that acknowledges and accommodates the mental health needs of employees, as exemplified by the boss who thanks Madeleine Parker for taking a mental health day.

💡Awareness

Awareness in this context refers to the recognition and understanding of the importance of mental health. The video script suggests that there is a growing awareness among employers about the significance of mental health and the need for programs and education to support it.

💡Education

Education, as mentioned in the script, pertains to the process of informing and training employees and employers about mental health issues. The video implies that increased education on the topic can lead to a more supportive and understanding workplace environment.

💡Support

Support in the video script refers to the assistance and resources provided to employees to help them manage their mental health. It is highlighted as a crucial aspect of a healthy workplace, with the boss's response to Madeleine Parker serving as an example of supportive management.

💡Abuse

Abuse in this context refers to the misuse or exploitation of policies or benefits, such as taking a mental health day when not needed. The video script acknowledges the potential for abuse but emphasizes that the benefits of recognizing mental health days outweigh the risks.

Highlights

The importance of taking mental health days is recognized and encouraged by some bosses.

Mental health days are seen as necessary for employees to recharge and return to work at full capacity.

Approximately one in five adults suffers from mental health issues.

Veterans, like Natalie, relate the need for mental health days to recharging batteries and dealing with conditions like depression and PTSD.

Mental health is an illness that can have physical reactions and requires more than just a few hours of rest.

Acknowledging mental health in the workplace can improve productivity.

There is a comparison between taking sick days for mental health and for physical health conditions like diabetes or arthritis.

Prince Harry's experience of confronting his mother's death 20 years later is mentioned to highlight the long-term impact of grief.

Christy Teague's struggle with post-partum depression is shared to illustrate the need for self-care and mental health support.

The importance of self-care is emphasized, especially for reporters and police officers dealing with traumatic events.

The need for time to decompress and ensure a whole self returns to work is highlighted.

The transcript discusses the challenge of ensuring companies and managers support mental health days.

Great managers who understand the importance of self-care for their employees are praised.

A shift towards employers offering more programs, awareness, and education about mental health is observed.

The positive impact of bosses who support mental health initiatives in the workplace is noted.