MRTs should monitor their mental health and obtain mental health support when required
Understanding mental health
- Mental health is a state of well-being with physical, mental, cultural and spiritual aspects, not simply the absence of illness.1 It affects how a person thinks, feels and acts. It also contributes to how a person handles stress, makes choices and relates to others. An individual’s mental health status directly affects all aspects of a person’s life across their life span.2,3
- Mental health wellbeing is a complex concept that is experienced uniquely by each individual.4,5
- Understanding mental health can be considered using a socio-ecological model, such as that adapted by the University of Minnesota (2021). These models recognize the interconnectedness of physical health with mental health, the importance of focusing on multiple levels of influence (e.g., personal, relationship, society), and its impact on the individual.
- Best practice guidelines on mental health topics are offered for information purposes only. The guidelines do not intend to offer medical advice and should not be relied on as such. If you require mental health support, please contact your local medical services or call 911 in a case of an emergency.
- Just as physical fitness helps our bodies to stay strong, mental fitness can support mental strength through building skills and resulting actions (e.g., reflective practice, resilience, strength-based decision-making, interpersonal skills, mental health resource utilization, stigma reduction). Such building blocks can support the maintenance of positive emotions and an increased sense of well-being.6,7
- Utilizing positive mental health strategies supports individuals in coping with stressors (e.g., death of a loved one, a job loss, or a challenging relationship).8
- Positive mental health can support individuals to make meaningful contributions in their community, realize their potential, and work productively.9
- Nurturing one’s own mental health may help decrease or prevent some mental health issues associated with chronic physical illness.10
- Emerging evidence demonstrates that positive mental health is associated with improved health outcomes; in one study individuals who were optimistic had a lower risk for coronary heart disease.11
- Measures for maintaining good mental health12:
- Practice good lifestyle habits – eat well, get enough sleep, keep active, reduce consumption of stimulants and engage in activities that promote relaxation.
- Maintain your social circle – connect with those around you: family, friends, neighbours and coworkers, participate in activities you enjoy and avoid isolating yourself if you are experiencing a difficult situation.
- Establish a balance between various aspects of your life – social, physical, mental, economic, spiritual and emotional.
MRT mental health
- To the best of their ability, MRTs should monitor their mental health status for their personal wellbeing as well as for the patients they care for.
- MRTs should recognize that their own mental health can affect their ability to perform their professional duties.
- The notion of “the right care, for the right patient, at the right time” has evolved to implicitly include health professionals maintaining their mental health wellbeing in such a way that allows them to provide optimal patient care.13
- MRTs should be aware of their mental health strengths, and areas that may require strengthening.
- MRTs may choose, for example, a positive and strength-based approach to support their mental wellbeing.14,15
- MRTs should seek mental health information, resources, and/or services to support their wellbeing when it interferes with their professional and workplace duties.
- MRTs should seek support for their mental health if they are not able to monitor or manage it independently.16
- MRTs should recognize that maintaining mental health is as important as physical health.
- MRTs should request culturally relevant mental health services if this is of value to them.17
- MRTs should be aware of mental health supports provided by their organization.
- If not available within the organization, MRTs should be aware of alternative resources and services to support their mental health.18 MRTs can advocate for mental health supports in their workplace.
- MRTs should recognize the value of family, friends, community, and other social systems in supporting their mental health.19
References
- Marks, D. F. Health Psychology: Overview. In: Weiner, I. B., Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., Geller, P. A., & Weiner, I, editors. Handbook of psychology, health psychology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons;2012. p. 3-25.
- Mental Health.gov. What is Mental Health. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health. Accessed December 14, 2021.
- The World Health Report 2001: Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope. World Health Organization, 2001.
- Canadian Mental Health Association. Mental health: What is it, really? https://cmha.ca/mental-health-what-is-it-really/ Accessed December 9, 2021.
- Baqutayan, S. M. S. Stress and coping mechanisms: A historical overview. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. 2015:(6)2. Doi: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s1p479.
- Miki, A. Mental Fitness Explained by a CBT Pscyhologist. Starling Minds. https://www.starlingminds.com/mental-fitness-explained-by-a-cbt-psychologist/. Accessed December 2, 2021.
- Kanekar, Amar, and Manoj Sharma. COVID-19 and Mental Well-Being: Guidance on the Application of Behavioral and Positive Well-Being Strategies. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)vol. 8, 336. 12 Sep. 2020, doi:10.3390/healthcare8030336
- Kanekar, A., Sharma, M. COVID-19 and mental well-being: Guidance on the application of behavioural and positive well-being strategies. Healthcare. 2020: 8(3): 336.
- Keyes, C. L. M. Promoting and protecting mental health as flourishing: A complementary strategy for improving national mental health. American Psychologist. 2007: 62(2): 95-108.
- Canadian Mental Health Association. Benefits of Good Mental Health. Accessed January 4, 2022 from https://toronto.cmha.ca/documents/benefits-of-good-mental-health/
- Kubzansky LD, Sparrow D, Vokonas P, Kawachi I. Is the glass half empty or half full? A prospective study of optimism and Coronary Heart Disease in the Normative Aging Study. Psychosom Med. 2001;63:910–916
- Gouvernment du Quebec. Maintaining good mental health. Accessed January 21, 2022 from https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/advice-and-prevention/mental-health/promote-good-mental-health/maintaining-good-mental-health
- Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists, Sonography Canada & Canadian Society of Laboratory Science. Joint Statement on the Mental Health Crisis in Healthcare Professionals.
- Xie, Huiting. Strengths-based approach for mental health recovery. Iranian journal of psychiatry and behavioral sciencesvol. 7,2 (2013): 5-10.
- Liu, X., Zhang, Y., Franklin, C., Qu, Y., Chen, H., & Kim, J. The practice of solution-focused brief therapy in mainland China. Health and Social Work. 2015 May 40(2): 84-90.
- LaMontagne AD, Martin A, Page KM, Reavley NJ, Noblet AJ, Milner AJ, Keegel T, Smith PM. Workplace mental health: developing an integrated intervention approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2014 May 9;14:131. doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-14-131.
- Slade, M. Personal Recovery and Mental Illness: A guide for mental health professionals. 2009. Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK.
- David, E., DePierro, J.M., Marin, D.B. et al.COVID-19 Pandemic Support Programs for Healthcare Workers and Implications for Occupational Mental Health: A Narrative Review. Psychiatric Quarterly(2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-021-09952-5
- Corrigan, P.W., Druss, B. G., Perlick D. A. The impact of mental illness stigma on seeking and participating in mental health care. Pyschological Science in the Public Interest 2014: 15(2): 37-70. doi: 10.1177/1529100614531398
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