Psychological Health and Safety

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The nursing profession is highly demanding with many physical and psychological hazards, which can result in mental injury and/or impact mental well-being. It is an employer's responsibility to provide a physically and psychologically safe workplace that works to mitigate psychological hazards.

Learn More about the Connection Between Mental Health and Workplace Safety

Mental health in the workplace isn’t just about individual well-being; it directly impacts safety and productivity. Psychosocial hazards like excessive workloads, lack of support, workplace bullying, and harassment contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout. When workers are overwhelmed or mentally unwell, they are more likely to make mistakes, experience reduced focus, and have slower reaction times, leading to an increased risk of accidents.

Breaking the Stigma: Addressing Barriers in Psychological Injury Claims

The BC Nurses’ Union is committed to pushing for a more inclusive and equitable psychological injury claims process, one that acknowledges mental injuries as legitimate, treats them with the seriousness they deserve, and removes unnecessary roadblocks to getting help.

Identifying and Managing Psychosocial Hazards

Creating psychologically safe workplaces is essential for supporting our members’ well-being. Psychological health and safety is woven into nurses’ daily interactions, workplace culture, management practices, and the way decisions are made and communicated. By advocating to address these factors, we can build environments where members are respected, valued, and safe both physically and mentally.

Psychological and Social Support
  • A workplace where co-workers and supervisors are supportive of one another’s psychological wellness and mental health concerns and respond appropriately when needed.
  • Question to consider: Am I familiar with workplace mental health services?
Organizational Culture
  • A workplace characterized by trust, honesty and fairness.
  • Question to consider: Does your workplace foster an environment where you trust your leaders and colleagues to be honest and fair?
Clear Leadership and Expectations
  • A workplace where there is effective leadership and support and all people know how they are contributing to the organizations goals, values and strategic direction.
  • Question to consider: Does your supervisor provide feedback specific to your work tasks?
Respect
  • Employees are respectful and considerate in their interactions with one another, as well as with patients, clients, families and members of the public.
  • Question to consider: Are people being held accountable for their actions and behavior?
Psychological Demands
  • Organization evaluates work systems and plans for work redesign and flow improvements. Jobs are assessed for psychological demands, risks are identified, and strategies are in place to mitigate the risks.
  • Question to consider: Do you report psychological hazards as per the employer hazard reporting process?
Growth and Development
  • Employees are encouraged and supported to develop interpersonal, emotional, and job skills.
  • Question to consider: Do you feel that your workplace provides opportunities for you to grow and develop your skills?
Recognition and Reward
  • Employer provides appropriate acknowledgement and appreciation of employee efforts in a fair and timely manner.
  • Question to consider: Do you feel appreciated and recognized for your contributions in a way that is fair and timely?
Involvement and Influence
  • Employees are included in discussions about how the work is done and are part of the decision making process.
  • Question to consider: Do you feel included in decision-making processes that impact your work, and is the decision-making process transparent?
Workload Management
  • Tasks and responsibilities can be accomplished successfully within the time available.
  • Question to consider: Is your workload manageable within your scheduled work hours, allowing you to complete tasks without feeling overwhelmed?
Engagement
  • Employees feel connected to their work and are energized by doing the job well.
  • Question to consider: Do you feel a sense of purpose and energy from the work you do each day?
Balance
  • The organization recognizes the need for balance of work demands, family and personal life.
  • Question to consider: Does your employer encourage you to take breaks and take scheduled time away?
Psychological Protection
  • The employer is committed to building a psychologically safe and healthy workplace and proactively assesses and mitigates risks.
  • Question to consider: Do you feel that your employer actively works to create a psychologically safe environment where you can voice concerns without fear of retaliation?
Protection of Physical Safety
  • Workers feel safe, have access to safety education, and are familiar with the safe work processes.
  • Question to consider: Does your workplace investigate safety incidents, always looking for strategies to prevent reoccurrence?
UPDATED:

Services to Support Members

NEW: Supplemental Mental Health Benefit

This benefit provides all members covered by the NBA collective agreement with access to an additional $5,000 lifetime amount to cover cost of a registered psychologist, registered social worker, and registered clinical counsellor, as well as internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT). Learn more.

BCNU regional mental health representatives. Contact yours via the BCNU Member Portal.

Illness and Disability Services

Practice Support

Resources

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