Test your IQ on mental illness in the workplace

Mental illness is the number one health disability across the country. Chances are staff will miss more work due to mental health problems, than heart disease or accidents. How much do you know about the illness?

True or false?
•Mental illness only happens to people with a family history.

False. Some illnesses can be triggered by environment — such as the amount of stress in a person’s life or difficult personal relationships.

•Too much stress can lead to mental illness.

True. Stress can lead to all types of health problems such as anxiety disorders, back and neck pain or headaches. If stress gets out of control or lasts for too long, it can lead to depression, which is a mental illness. Stress by itself isn’t a mental illness nor can stress cause genetic illnesses like schizophrenia. There is evidence though that stress can reduce a person’s ability to cope with mental illness once the illness strikes. People who cope well with stress are not immune to mental illness. Mental illness can affect anyone at any time — even people who seem to be in control of their lives.

•People can work through mental illness.

True and False. Some people, with the right environment and circumstances, can overcome mental illness on their own. But many people will need some kind of treatment sooner or later. Getting treatment doesn’t mean you’re weak or sicker than others are. Some mental illnesses, like depression, can be either life-long...or they may last for only short periods of time. How long the illness lasts depends on the severity, the treatment(s) used, family/community support, lifestyle factors and whether the individual has any other conditions or complications.

•Only weak people get mental illness.

False. Mental illness affects people from all walks of life. People who don’t cope well with stress are especially vulnerable. So are people who have troubled personal relationships. And so are people who have very high expectations of themselves — whether career, family or financial expectations. Often mental illness affects the people you’d least expect.

•Workplace stress causes mental illness.

False. Dealing with workplace stress is unique to each individual. While some may find work stressful, others may see work as enriching and energizing. In reality, most people who develop a mental illness find their problems stem from several areas of their life, such as relationships, finances and work issues.

•You can help prevent mental illness.

True. Two things make a big difference: (1) Choosing to live well and manage life stresses; and (2) Maintaining healthy, supportive relationships with others. People who confront their stress and manage it carefully have a better chance of preventing mental illness.

From the Alberta Mental Health Board.

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