Employee Well-Being: Psychological & Social Support
Psychological & Social Support
Psychological and social support are present in an environment where co-workers and supervisors are supportive of employees’ psychological and mental health concerns and respond appropriately as needed.
Equally important are the employees’ perceptions and awareness of organizational support. When employees perceive organizational support, it means they believe their organization values their contributions, is committed to ensuring their psychological well-being and provides meaningful supports if this well-being is compromised.
When psychological and social support exists in teams, you will observe:
- Improved psychological well-being of employees
- Sustainable and successful return to work
- Reasonable workplace support during times of emotional distress, crisis or upset
- An understanding and awareness of mental health
- Employees feel safe to talk about mental health and are not confronted by stigma
- Employees are supported to stay productive and maintain healthy relationships
- Greater job attachment, job commitment, job satisfaction, and positive work mood
- Help-seeking behaviours from employees who are distressed at work
Tips to maintain psychological and social support:
- Take steps to educate your colleagues and team to eliminate stigma
- Provide employees with resources – websites, workshops, team meetings
- Update employees about new and changing health and well-being supports – EFAP, Community Mental Health Agencies, Mental Health Benefits
- Normalize the anxiety and overwhelm about today’s changing world
- Give permission to share feelings and share your own personal stories of struggle and solutions
- Model and advocate balance and self care
- Reset expectations of yourself and others with what is possible right now
- Maintain regular communication with employees who are absent from work
Sources: https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/
Upcoming Free Virtual Wellness Sessions for McMaster Faculty and Staff
Learn more and register for upcoming sessions
Live Online Yoga
September 3 and 10 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Back by popular demand! Join Jenn Stanley for all-levels intro to yoga. This class will feature movement and poses with extra instruction for those new to the practice of yoga. The sessions will also include poses familiar to those with a regular practice. Participants will focus on intentional movement and breath with the goal of finishing the class feeling calm and ready to continue the day.
Creating a Psychologically Safe Space
September 9 from 1 – 2 p.m. or September 11 from 11a.m. – 12 noon
Creating psychologically safe spaces is about creating environments in which people feel accepted and respected. This year, many people are carrying concerns, fears and new realities that have impacted their well-being, productivity and confidence. In this session facilitated by Cheryl Breukelman of Epiphany Coaches Inc, we will explore easy and practical ways to bring you and your team more stability and strength as you work to create a psychologically safe work environment.
Mindfulness Practice Sessions
September 14, 21, 28 and October 5 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. (registration coming soon)
September 24 from 9 – 9:45 a.m. (registration available)
These 45 minute virtual sessions with Hoame Meditation Studio will ensure you get through your day focused, calm, and energized. The sessions begins with a brief introduction on how to meditate, followed by 30 minutes of meditation practice that incorporates sounds, visualizations, breathing techniques and some light arm movements. You will have an opportunity to ask questions after the sessions, and talk about your experience. You will leave these sessions feeling lighter, brighter and ready to tackle the rest of your day! Wear comfortable clothing and sit in a comfortable spot!
Coming soon: Virtual Yoga Series
Learn more about these and other upcoming sessions and register on our HR Events page.
Not able to make it to a scheduled session? Try these other resources, sessions and tools:
Stress Solutions
This free coaching program is available to employees with extended health care benefits. It consists of one to three telephonic sessions which including coaching on stress management, lifestyle, priority management and tools such as meditation and relaxation techniques, as well as programs and written articles. Learn more.
McMaster Museum of Art’s Sketching Thursdays
September 3 – December 10 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm (excluding Reading Week)
All McMaster faculty, staff and students are invited to join Museum of Art Education staff in an online sketching session. Each week, you’ll be inspired by a different work of art from McMaster’s collection. Participants are welcome to sketch independently, or with guidance from the session leaders. This is a free, drop in event. Learn more and register.
The Future of Caregiving
September 24 from 12 noon – 1:15 p.m.
COVID-19 has upended traditional methods of health care delivery and quickly redefined relationships between patients, providers and families. Today, we have an opportunity to develop a new ‘social contract’ for family caregivers. Dr. Samir Sinha and Donna Thomson unpack the challenges and opportunities in creating a new vision for the future of unpaid caregiving in Canada. Learn more and register.
Caregiving Essentials Course
Registration opens October 13
Do you act as the family or informal caregiver for an older adult? Have you been looking for information and support for the caregiver role? CCE invites you to participate in a FREE 8 WEEK, online course for people who are the family or informal caregivers of older adult(s). This online program will enable you to learn at your own pace, when it is most convenient for you. Learn more.
Accessibility Network for Employees with Disabilities
The Employee Accessibility Network functions as a peer networking group for employees with disabilities, as well as a consultative group to the McMaster Accessibility Council (MAC). Learn more.
Inclusion and Anti-Racism Education
Through the Equity and Inclusion Office, the Inclusion and Anti-Racism Education provides education and support to students, staff, and faculty members through consultation meetings, workshops, special events, and discussion groups, for example. The Program staff design and deliver regularly scheduled workshops and events for students, staff, and faculty; and requested customized workshops to meet the particular needs and concerns of any group. Learn more.
Need Help?
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) – Homewood Health: If your stress is overwhelming, please reach out to your health care provider, or Homewood Health for support. Homewood Health continues to offer its telephonic counselling services. 1.800.663.1142
COVID-19, Employee Well-being, Employee Well-being Newsletter