Psych Health and Safety Podcast USA FlourishDx

In Episode 99, host Dr. I. David Daniels speaks with Kevin Baker, a consultant in numerous disciplines, including Education, Educational Leadership, Mental Health, Community Policing, and Race and Social Justice. Kevin’s areas of expertise include Racial Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, Cultural Responsiveness, Trauma-Informed Care, Historical Trauma, Trans-generational Trauma, Unconscious/Implicit Bias, and Power and Privilege.

The state of workplace mental health has shifted substantially in the past few years, accelerated by the global pandemic, racial justice reckoning, and other significant challenges. Since then, some organizations have made substantial gains by providing expanded benefits, meditation apps, mindfulness programs, mental health days, and awareness campaigns. However, these investments alone aren’t enough.

It's said that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” and underlying cultures in organizations are at the heart of a practical approach to the psychological health and safety of those in the culture. In this episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with someone who works with organizations and addresses culture from various perspectives.

Kevin will take us on a deep dive into a conversation about culture and the ways in which both simple and complex trauma can affect an organization's culture.

In episode 98, host Dr. I. David Daniels will speak with Joseph Blackman, founder of Vitendo Training Solutions and host of the Public Works Podcast, about psychological health and safety in public works.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), is the largest long-term investment in the US economy and infrastructure in history. From 2022 to 2026, the law provides $550 billion in federal investment in roads, bridges, mass transit, water infrastructure, resilience, and broadband.

Though many of these projects will be managed by private-sector construction companies, others will be managed by public-sector public works departments. Depending on the jurisdiction, the attention to and expertise in safety varies. Increased investment in public infrastructure will also increase the potential for exposure of workers to both physical and psychological hazards. One of the important components to reducing the stress associated with this work could be addressed by more effective training.

This episode is a continuing conversation from an episode of the Public Works Podcast.

In Episode 97, host Dr. I. David Daniels will speak with Daniel Kraus, a veteran, former law enforcement officer turned emergency management professional, disaster responder, and consultant who works with multiple school districts in the State of Oregon on “trauma-informed” emergency preparedness.

According to a 2023 survey by the EdWeek Research Center, 66% of teachers feel safe at work, which is lower than the 83% of principals and 88% of district leaders who feel safe. Additionally, 46% of teachers who responded to the survey said their sense of safety has decreased since 2019, compared to 36% of principals and 26% of district leaders.

Some of the factors that help teachers feel safe include:

· Secure physical space
· Discretionary alarms
· Training
· Mental health support
· Emotional intelligence
· Respectful communication
· Teacher autonomy

Emergency management in schools, also known as crisis management, is a school's approach to safety that focuses on identifying, addressing, and resolving crises.

Notes from the Episode:

Mazama Consulting LLC mazamaconsulting@gmail.com
Contact Info for Dan: (503) 318-4441
Sammy and Friends: https://www.sammyandfriends.com/

In episode 96, host Dr. I. David Daniels speaks with Dr. Heliana Ramirez about the “Workplace Battle Fatigue” of workers in toxic workplaces. Workplaces with chronic exposure to psychosocial hazards can be not only psychological but also physically harmful to those exposed.

A toxic workplace is one where workers feel psychologically unsafe, disrespected, or threatened. It can include negative behaviors such as bullying, harassment, discrimination, and unethical behavior. Toxic work environments can also lead to burnout, health issues, decreased productivity, and high turnover rates. Those in toxic work environments may experience anxiety, depression, and stress and may take more time off or, in some cases, leave the organization either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Dr. Ramirez will share not only her expertise regarding toxic workplaces but also the actual damage these workplaces can cause, particularly to members of marginalized populations.

Episode 95 features a conversation between host Dr. I. David Daniels and Mark-Anthony Williams, a working safety professional, safety consultant, and podcaster about “Safety in the Real World.”

One important reason for this podcast is to facilitate conversation about psychological health and safety from an occupational health and safety viewpoint and perspective. One way we do this is to chat with folks who understand physical health and safety and translate that knowledge into addressing psychosocial hazards.

Issues related to stress, burnout, and overall workplace mental health are concepts that have traditionally landed on the desks of human resources staff. Recently, there has been a realization that hazards we can’t always see are, in most cases, at the root of incidents that result in physical harm or damage. In these situations, an environment or occupational health and safety professional is likely to be involved early on in both the conversation before and actions after an incident. The same skills used to address physical hazards can be utilized when addressing psychosocial hazards.

This episode was filmed from Mark Anthony’s car after a work day. His approach to safety (both physical and psychological) is very practical and down-to-earth but exceptionally technically sound.

In this episode, host Dr. I. David Daniels will speak with Suzi Craig, VP of Workplace Mental Health at Mental Health America, about Mental Health America's (MHA) Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health. This national certification program recognizes employers committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces.

The program recognizes workplaces that lead the way in improving employee mental health and well-being. Bell Seal recipients receive a promotion toolkit to announce their certification to employees, clients, customers, and the communities they serve.

Ms. Craig will share her views on mental health in the workplace, some of MHA's history, and a bit about the criteria used to determine the viability of workplace mental health efforts in organizations that apply.