Claim OwnershipCarrying On: Mental Health Strategies for COVID-19
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The Conference Board of Canada's Chief of Research, Workplace Productivity, Dr. Bill Howatt, shares strategies to support mental health through COVID-19. As a country, we face a changing world and higher stakes than ever before. The way we respond to challenges today will define the Canada of tomorrow. We’re proud to be Canada’s foremost independent, evidence-based applied research organization. Since 1954 we have provided leaders and decision-makers with the economic analysis, applied research, data, networks and events they need to solve Canada's most complex challenges. © 2020 The Conference Board of Canada. All Rights Reserved.
42 Episodes
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Back by popular demand! Our podcast series “Carrying On: Mental Health Strategies for COVID-19” welcomes Dr. Bill Howatt back into our podcast “studio” to share some mental health insights. He’s joined by Andrew Harkness, Strategy Advisor of Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), to discuss psychological health and safety. Support the show
We’ve all had to create and discover coping-skills. The dangers with at-risk coping skills are the frequency, duration, and intensity. These will create illusions of immediate symptom-relief. Dr. Bill Howatt encourages us to discover pro-social coping skills. Learn more in today’s episode on #MentalHealth during #COVID19Support the show
Building trust is foundational to successful human relationships, which plays a big part in successful workplaces. What is the formula for building trust? Dr. Bill Howatt shares his insights.Support the show
Let’s start to notice the opportunities associated with a “new normal”—new work, new habits, new relationships, etc. Engaging in new skills will allow you to keep pace with innovations. Dr. Bill Howatt helps us navigate the idea of a “new normal.”Support the show
1It’s been approximately 100 days since onset of COVID-19. There have been so many hardships; what is the silver lining? Dr. Bill Howatt elaborates on his personal ups and downs during this pandemic and helps us understand how to find the silver lining in all of this.Support the show
While many consider worry to be exclusively negative, Dr. Bill Howatt reminds us there are some positives. Worry helps us identify when something needs to be addressed or fixed. The challenge is when it becomes overwhelming. Learn how to manage worry, and comment your thoughts below.Support the show
It’s June 2020… Some are on their way back to work, some never left (thank you, essential workers!), and some will not go back to an office. There’s all kinds of change happening so what can we expect for back to work? How do you navigate through a new process? Start with clarity; figure out the nuances and newness. Adhere to PPE and contribute to social conformity. Find a new normal; be patient with yourself and trust the process and ensure you’re asking questions along the way.Support the show
Diversity and inclusion are limited by many factors, one of which being implicit biases. These are unconscious and often go unnoticed within the thoughts they occupy. Dr. Bill Howatt addresses ways to identify your own biases. Be open that you have biases. Insist on fairness and equality. Accept that you have a perspective on the world and lastly, always seek to understand.Support the show
Let’s face it: parenting is tough and even more so during a pandemic. Dr. Bill Howatt offers a set of 5 fundamentals he views as useful and effective when navigating everyday challenges faced by parents. Dr. Bill reminds us that above all, it’s essential to ensure a child’s safety and a parent’s ability to rest.Support the show
Sleep disturbance occurs as a result of risk factors (COVID-19, financial stress, troubled relationships, professional stress, etc.). Lack of sleep will lead to irritation, uncontrolled emotions, and other undesirable outcomes. Dr. Bill Howatt provides 5 easy-to-remember tricks for falling asleep. Practice Sleep hygieneLearn a bed’s placeEnd tossing and turningEngage in boredommonitor ProgressSupport the show
During the COVID19 pandemic, Dr. Bill Howatt has shared with us the many benefits of creating and maintain social connections, mostly supporting good mental health. One key strategy in building social connections and reducing risk of feeling isolated and lonely is to develop networking skills. Learn the how-to’s. C—Community I—Involvement R—Relationship building C—Collaboration L—Learning E—EvolveSupport the show
Psychologically, it takes 6 weeks to create a habit. Improved mental health is a result of maintaining intentional, non-negotiable habits. Dr. Bill Howatt provides you with ideas you can exercise for the next 6 weeks. Will you build a habit over this time period?Support the show
Something that is interesting about the Mental Health space, is that we don’t talk about suicide. We should not avoid tough topics, especially during a pandemic. Learn from Dr. Bill Howatt on how to increase conversation, thus awareness.If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them about it. Here are some warning signs: Suicidal thoughtsSubstance abusePurposelessnessAnxietyFeeling trappedHopelessness and helplessnessWithdrawalAngerRecklessnessMood changesCanada Suicide Prevention Service1-833-456-4566 (Phone) | 45645 (Text) | crisisservicescanada.ca (Chat)In Quebec (French): Association québécoise de prévention du suicide:1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)Kids Help Phone1-800-668-6868 (Phone)Live Chat counselling at www.kidshelpphone.caSupport the show
Has your mind been feeling tired? You may not realize but “Zoom” fatigue is an emerging issue… overload of new process is an issue… worry of spreading, catching and living with contagion is an issue. We’re in a very interesting sociological time. If you’re starting to feel fatigue, give yourself a break. Dr. Bill Howatt provides a framework for managing mental fatigue.Support the show
Common feelings and fear of being socially rejected often stem from stigma. Different types of stigma include self-stigma; which is self-inflicted, peer stigma; which comes from experiencing your peers share negative thoughts and organizational stigma; which creates fear of putting your career at risk. How does one manage organizational stigma? For starters, you must understand what accommodations you need to succeed, and ask for those. Learn more in today’s video. Support the show
Different jobs require different skills. Some physical, some mental, some social. Dr. Bill Howatt highlights some key focus areas upon returning to work. Are you a crane operator or truck driver? Be mindful of motor skill decay. Do you lift heavy items at work? Be mindful of physical health deconditioning. Work in an office? Be mindful of mental fatigue as we each process new emotions brought on by a new, new normal. Above all, be mindful of proactively preparing your mental health.Support the show
20% of Canada, at any point in time, is dealing with a mental illness. About 20-30% is dealing with loneliness, which is probably 50% or so during the COVID-19 pandemic. We all know how to better physical health, and many prioritize that in their daily routine. So why not prioritize your mental health, too? Hear from Dr. Bill Howatt for guiding principles on how you can make your mental health a priority.Support the show
COVID19’s effects on individual stress have added to the over 75% of Canadians who consume alcohol yearly. The danger lies in habit creation. Dr. Bill Howatt discusses alcohol consumption for the mental health series.Support the show
Overcome negative emotions by concentrating and rewarding the accomplishments. Dr. Bill Howatt reminds us all of the importance in celebrating big and small milestones during the COVID-19 pandemic, to better mental health. Check out our latest podcast for tips and tricks.Support the show
Dr. Bill Howatt on Financial Health; it was the #1 cause of stress amongst Canadians pre-COVID-19. Hear Dr. Bill’s tips on financial health management, for better mental health.Before COVID-19, financial health was #1 cause of stress in Canada. It’s very common; approx. 177% of debt load is household debt. 54% of population was concerned about financial debt, ave. Employee spends 1hr/day distracted by finances. 9 million hours a day of workforce productivity lost on financial stress.Tip: Take a look at your budget. Bills, discretionary and savings. Rule of 3 months of savings, at minimum. Feeling bad about past decisions is not helpful; look ahead. Differentiate want vs need. Use available resources. Avoid taking on debt. Be careful from whom you chose to take advice from (as a financial planner). Protect yourself from fraud.Learn more at https://www.conferenceboard.ca/covid-19Support the show
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