Stigma In The Workplace

The goals and objectives of the program is promoting organization’s awareness program to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness in the workplace
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (2017), Stigma is a personal attitude and belief that negatively labels individual or a group of people, such as those with mental illness. It occurs because of stereotypes or negative perceptions, prejudice and discrimination (negative emotional reaction and behavior response to prejudice), and frequently associated with mental health conditions. There are many kinds of stigma but this announcement most concerned to promote awareness program reduce the with stigma about stress-related mental health issues in the workplace.

The Causes of Stigma about Stress-related mental health issues at work, can be the result of any numbers of situations, For examples: -
• Lack of awareness about stigma and its harmful consequences
• Lack of structural facilitators in workplace
• Social judgement, prejudice and stereotypes against Other
• Experiencing fear of losing Job and Irrational fears
• Due to major stressor in workplace to cause stress such as work-Life balance, organizational structure and climate, role in the organization, factors unique to the job, rrelationships at work and others are categories of job stressors.

However, in addition to organization culture factors in the workplace, there are many causes of stress at work that may cause stress, such as
• Feelings of pressure
• Fear of injury or illness
• Management style and communication patterns
• Lack of control of job tasks, workload and deadlines
• Lack of training for a new job or task, and job change
• Lack of time to do work and family exposed to work-related hazards
• Lack of trust and lack of systems in workplace available to respond to concerns
• Working with difficult clients or colleagues and role or responsibility conflicts, etc.
(CCOHS, 2017)
The Symptoms of stress: - There are many different symptoms and signs of stress, For example:
• Physical symptoms such as: - headaches, chest pain, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, insomnia, frequent illness, and others.
• Psychosocial symptoms are an anxiety, sadness, anger, depression, hopelessness,

etc.
• Cognitive also less problem solving, reduced ability to learn; easily distracted, etc.
• Behavioural symptoms are quickness to argue, isolation from others, poor job performance, and others.
However, to reduce the stigma associated with stress-related of mental health issues it should be manage the workplace stress.

Workplace stress is the harmful physical and emotional responses that can happen when there is a conflict between job demands on the employee and the amount of control an employee has over meeting these demands (CCOHS, 2017).
Employer should address potential psychosocial hazards must maintain comprehensive workplace health and safety program and continue to improve the process for his organization, including Leading, Planning or organizing, implement, evaluate, action of improvement, and to promoting the organization should have also the following steps.
• Identify existing potential hazards in the work site
• Prepare a written and dated hazard assessment
• Review hazard assessments periodically and when changes occur to the task, equipment or work environment.
• Take measures to eliminate or control identified hazards.
• Involve workers in the hazard assessment and control process.
• Make sure workers and contractors are informed of the hazards and the methods used to eliminate or control the hazards.
• to influence policy-makers of the organization, increase support and

knowledge
Establish a well-communicated zero-tolerance policy on all forms harassment and discrimination. … the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace.
Any event that triggers a stress reaction in your body is called a stressor. Situations at work that may cause stress could include:
N.B: - There are many available supports to organize awareness presentations from people who have experienced mental illness first-hand to implement the awareness program. To provide appropriate support and published materials with information how to reduce stigma related to mental illness in the workplace, by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Human Rights Commission, the World Psychiatric Association Scientific and others.