Mental: Everything You Never Knew You Needed to Know about Mental Health [Book Review]

We’re being told that social isolation is going to create some mental health issues for people

Find out what this actually means.

Here are some key messages from this episode

  • Why Mental Health work is fluid in nature
  • Why we have a lot more control over our mental health than we may think
  • The power of talk therapy

Play the episode for more.

Here are some key takeaways from this episode

The Biopsychosocial model of mental health causes

“which suggested that disorders have biological, psychological and social causes. For example depression has biological causes, for example brain chemistry and genetics, suggesting that some people may be predisposed, but it also has psychological causes, such as loss or trauma, furthermore it has social causes… abuse, life events, isolation, social disadvantage”

We can use ‘psychological first aid’ to manage our mental health

“This was a term used to describe the five pillars of good mental health which include good sleep, healthy nutrition, exercise, stress management and relationships. All of our circumstances our different, however I was encouraged because speaking for myself, I’ve got some control over these 5 pillars; which suggests I have some control over my mental health.. according to the book”

Many mental health disorders have a social cause

“However a deeper understanding of the social causes of mental health does suit our purposes and points towards a need for organisations, for institutions to address how existing structures contribute to mental ill health in society”

Here are some resources so you can go deeper

ICNARC report on COVID-19 in critical care

Mental: Everything You Never Knew You Needed to Know about Mental Health

Institute of Race Relations

Check out these related episodes of the show

Diversity Warning: The Public Health Crisis Hiding In Plain Sight [Interview with Leyla Okhai]

Whenever you’re ready, there are a few ways I can support your Inclusion Journey:

The Elements of Inclusion #4

Leaders must collaborate innovatively to leverage cultural expertise and drive business performance.

  • Why inclusive outcomes are driven by innovation
  • How developing a business case for diversity and inclusion specific to your organisation is a competitive advantage
  • Why novelty is at the heart of your inclusion journey

The Elements of Inclusion #3

Leaders must establish systems to ensure that everyone shares the same advantages and benefits. These processes will create incentives for inclusive behaviours.

  • How to augment your team with the tools and insights they need to prevent structural disadvantage
  • Why reinforcing generative norms ensures everyone belongs in the organisation
  • How inclusive representations can be embedded to promote an inclusive culture

The Elements of Inclusion #2

Leaders must redefine career development relationships to support inclusive performance.
  • Why traditional mentor relationships must be revised for an inclusive workplace
  • How leaders must embrace networks of developmental relationships for individual growth
  • Why established workplace norms must evolve for inclusion in the modern workplace

The Elements of Inclusion #1

Leaders must properly socialise people and socialise inclusive ideas by providing an environment for the cultural learning needed for an active role in an inclusive organisation

  • How your socialisation processes must evolve to encourage the sustainable cultivation of inclusive competencies
  • Why Leaders must consistently negotiate the line between organisational commitment and personal authenticity to promote performance
  • How developing intersectional self awareness can help leaders to leverage individual employee experiences