b'WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTHBurnt out, overwhelmed,and unrecognized How leaders can support psychological safety in long-term careBy Scott MitchellT here is an urgent need toThe Ontario Centres for Learning,to develop a province-wide support protect the mental health andResearch and Innovation in Long- system that enables long-term care well-being of team membersTerm Care (CLRI) at the Schlegel- homes to take practical steps to in long-term care. Frontline workersUW Research Institute for Aging hasprioritize workplace mental health.face heavy physical and emotionallaunched a new initiative to help demands, time pressures, bullying,promote and protect the mentalWhy mental health?violence, racism, and a workplacehealth of all team members. TheWorking in long-term care is culture that often devalues the role ofWorkplace Mental Health in LTCpsychologically demanding. Emerging care providers.project will support homes acrossresearch shows that frontline workers the province to adopt the Nationalare experiencing high levels of These conditions contribute to highStandard of Canada for Psychologicaldepression, anxiety, grief and post-rates of stress, injury and disability Health and Safety in the Workplace. traumatic stress. According to the factors associated with absenteeism,Ontario governments Long-Term high staff turnover and recruitmentThe Ontario CLRI is collaboratingCare Staffing Study, team members challenges. The COVID-19 pandemicwith OLTCA and other provincialare feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, has only magnified these issues andassociations, mental health experts,and unrecognized. The study points highlighted the need for change inoccupational health and safetyout that poor working conditions Ontarios long-term care system. organizations and related stakeholdersare a key contributing factor to staff 20 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2021'