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Post by Admin on Aug 2, 2016 17:45:41 GMT -4
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Michael Sorrenti (MS3) - UMHS
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Post by Michael Sorrenti (MS3) - UMHS on Aug 2, 2016 20:12:03 GMT -4
When reading this article, one company really comes to mind: Google. According to an article published on busnessinsider.com in 2015, Google offers their employees a “Googleplex.” This involves healthy meals, shuttles (to and from work), laundry, fitness center, autonomy and much more. Laszlo Bock, Google’s HR boss, says that all these things support one another in a creative environment that is also competitive and productive. This is very similar to what is mentioned in the article in the sense that a “healthy” mind leads to economic productivity - Google’s business model demon straights this observation very accurately. With this being said, I agree with what they are saying here in that more energy needs to go into the mental health of employees because it can/will lead to better productivity in the long run.
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Raghda AL Anbari (MS4)
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Post by Raghda AL Anbari (MS4) on Aug 3, 2016 10:43:09 GMT -4
Everybody was saying healthy mind is in the health body!! But with time I started believe that the healthy body is in the healthy mind, many will asked how is that possible, simply if your mind is sick, all the chemicals are not in the right balance and it so hard to maintain life with half brain function.
From the common mental illness like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar to the rare condition like conversion disorder, all had been contributed in people’s life and function, no body can work and focus if he/she is feeling ill, with just a common cold, body function go down and people take days off from work, kids with ear infection feel sick to go to school and they missed school days!! That’s made me wonder what will happen if they have a mental illness, with a very simple common illnesses, they were nonfunctioning! What will happen with a real mental illness? Simply the answer is that they will not being as productive as they should be.
When we’re under stress, the brain secretes hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that in the best scenario mobilize us to handle a short-term stressful situation, but in the worst scenario create an ongoing risk for low performance. In that case, attention narrows to focus on the cause of the stress, not the task at hand. Our memory reorganizes to promote thoughts most relevant to what’s stressing us, and we fall back on negative learned habits. In today’s world, money is the primary form of work compensation. Yet surveys have shown that the most effective motivator for increased performance and creativity is when one feels that his or her work has meaning and value. Understanding what drives people is helpful when designing motivation programs to increase satisfaction, and consequently, performance. Show peoples how their jobs impact the overall success of the company’s mission. By that business benefit when employees have a good mental health. Mental health is associated with high performance, more consistent work and attendance, and fewer workplace accidents
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Post by Anjani Singh on Aug 3, 2016 18:00:46 GMT -4
A sense of being able to control how to live your life is essential to what makes us who we are. This article makes a lot of sense regarding how that sense of self control can contribute to a lessening of "side effects" of not having the control such as depression or anxiety. Everyone should have this right. “That improves mental health, and that improves productivity. So it’s a virtuous cycle.” This quote has such an impact. This purpose and meaning of control can induce productivity and allow us to live our lives without the thought of becoming severely mentally ill because we know what is going on. If one did not have any control of what was going on around them, of course they would fall to mental illness and eventually into possibly debt. Pharmacology is known as a crux of psychiatry, but it is not everything. Those trillions of dollars are not only focused on pills, but life counseling and therapy that can change an entire lifestyle. This is why mental health and psychiatry is such a vital part of life because without it, no one would understand how relationships, life, and how the world works. Although there is this huge association with mental illness and economic downfall, I like that this article focuses on how to improve it and not have any economic crisis.
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Barbara Goryl (MS3)
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Post by Barbara Goryl (MS3) on Aug 3, 2016 18:14:58 GMT -4
In many ways the article does bring up an important point that the mental status of employees is deteriorating. Many people are plagued by problems at home whether it be family issues or health concerns effecting their daily work productivity. Eventually the general working population will develop depression and anxiety do to the demands of daily living and pressures of society. Day in and day out you hear," cant wait for Friday to come around" or " gosh I cant stand my boss so needy". It goes to say that there is more going on behind the scenes than psychological issues. Yes. Companies and employers need to create a system that allows for their employees to seek help sooner,whether it be counceling or a visit to psychiatrist. But not all employees will often seek help even if they are feeling depressed or anxious. They do not want to be labled as someone with psychological issues.
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Post by Lauren Eppert on Aug 3, 2016 20:05:03 GMT -4
I feel that there are definitely some valid points made within the article and attached video, pertaining to empowerment, economic relations, and worsening poverty when related to mental health; however, I feel that the research discussed is questionable. I would like to read the article about contraception and a decreased sense of hopelessness and depression because I feel that these topics are like comparing apples to oranges – likely unrelated. I do believe giving people resources such as CBT and choices in their healthcare can be empowering, but I do not understand the relationship between access to contraceptives and depressed mood. Regardless, I found it interesting that every dollar contributed to mental health produces four dollars in the economy, and I agree that the CBT training utilized for field work in Pakistan would be beneficial worldwide. Mental health should not be such a “luxury” in our world.
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Post by AZ on Aug 4, 2016 9:31:52 GMT -4
It would make sense that there would be a link between mental health and productivity. It's safe to say that when someone's mood is altered in a negative way (depression, anxiety) then it decreases productivity.
Such as the example that was given with women receiving birth control leading to decreased levels of symptoms related to anxiety and depression. Birth control helps to stabilize the symptoms of "pms" and the mood swings that come along with. This example is a simple form of treatment. Some of these women could have undiagnosed premenstrual dysphoric d/o thus treating them could lead to increased self satisfaction and productivity.
The USA has access to more psychiatrists then most countries would could be a parallel to productivity. More people are getting help and treated thus increased production. Also, in comparison to many countries, mental illnesses are much more accepted in the USA. This makes a difference because people are more likely to get help leading to well controlled mental illnesses.
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Post by Ali Reza Ahmed on Aug 4, 2016 9:58:40 GMT -4
I have always believed that if a person is emotionally healthy, the better they can handle stressors and tension in their lives. Also if they are emotionally healthy they are in a better position to manage their bills and finances. If they are under constant stress and anxiety related to not being able to pay their household bill or their medical expenses starting a very destructive downward cycle into debt that would permeate not only in a family unit, but also within the community. It is good to see researchers and scholars like Nava Ashraf trying to see the associates and variables related to economic prosperity and mental health. The best example of this in the article is the mention of giving women access to birth control and how women took control of their biology and were able to plan their family life along with their career.
I would like to see an opposite article, one where the research would assess all of the negative mental health issues that arise in a overly successful economy and environment.
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Kimber Johnsen (MS3)
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Post by Kimber Johnsen (MS3) on Aug 4, 2016 10:48:42 GMT -4
The mind and body are intricately woven together so that they function better when both aspects are at their optimal health. When one is depressed their ‘state of mind’ or better put mental health affects their body as they have a low level of energy and don’t want to do anything and probably also have insomnia which decreases their energy level even more. Knowing that connection it is no wonder that when one is in a good state of mental health they are more productive and more of a benefit to the company.
The article mentions that economic downfall affects mental health and it makes tons of sense. In time of economic hardships businesses have a hard time staying afloat and before closing their doors completely lay off employees and impart a hiring freeze. This makes it harder for those who are unemployed to find a job and when you are looking for a job for several month and face rejection after rejection it starts to get discouraging and depressing and makes one feel that they are not good enough and no one will want to hire them. But in times of good economic standing and jobs are plentiful the unemployed have better luck finding jobs and are not so depressed.
One other aspect of the article I found interesting is the statement that for every dollar invested in mental there is a 4-dollar output in terms of contribution to the economy. If this is true, why is there such a taboo on mental health and a topic people are afraid to talk about? If getting help for mental illnesses will boost productivity and the economy why do companies not offer more programs to make it easier for employees to get the help they need? Or even why don’t insurance companies cover more services?
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Post by Jackson Nguyen MS4 on Aug 4, 2016 11:06:12 GMT -4
I'm glad that Mental Health especially depression and anxiety are being studied so intensely by the WHO. The only downside is that it has really taken major health organizations and businesses this long to recognize how important mental health is. Part of that is that I believe there is a huge stigma surrounding Mental health, especially since it is an illness that you can't really physically see such as having broken bone or having the flu. A lot of businesses won't pay for mental health because there are huge myths such as why are you depressed? Just be happy and think good thoughts. Fortunately, Science has proven that it really isn't about thoughts but more of an chemical imbalance. So it obviously makes sense that if a company invests the time and money in helping you with your depression, whether it is in the form of pharmacological help, group support, or even just providing an environment where you don't feel so ashamed, it makes perfect sense that 1) your health will improve and 2) you feel high morale and a good initiative to work hard and increase revenue for the business that takes care of you.
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Shadi Jafari-Esfahani (MS3)
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Post by Shadi Jafari-Esfahani (MS3) on Aug 4, 2016 15:49:53 GMT -4
I agree with the article and points brought up in the video as well. There is certainly a link between not just mental health but both mental and physical health and economic productivity. This well brings us to the most often underestimated fact that prevention should be more values and focused on rather than treatment and maintenance with regards to mental and physical disorders. Physical and mental health work hand in hand. A physical disorder can lead to lack of self steam, depression, feeling of lack of control over one’s own life and anxiety. In return a mental disorder can lead to a physical disorder. For example, some individual whom suffer from depression and anxiety end up choosing a more sedentary life and social isolation and sometimes they choose eating as a mechanism to overcome the depression which as a consequence can lead to weight gain, being over weight and obesity. Prevention of mental and physical illness would lead to economic productivity. For example teaching individuals about anxiety and healthy ways to cope with it at a young age will decrease the number of individuals whom will later in life presents to the physician with full blown anxiety or GAD who now are unable to functional on daily basis; the basic counseling that could have prevented or lessened the effects of anxiety now has to be replaced with hours of counseling and different medications and frequent visits to the doctor so that the individual could be able to function which will also result in a burden on economy. I think as a society we should pay particular attention to the mental health of our younger generation and provide them the means through which they can be more familiar and educated with mental health so that in years to come they will be more healthier in their social relationship and productive at school and work. A healthier population will make a healthier society and economy.
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Post by Meika Shah MS4 on Aug 4, 2016 16:04:27 GMT -4
This article brought up some interesting points, but makes me question the validity of an article that uses a loose association between OCP's and anxiety and depression in a country like Zambia. Albeit, lack of birth control and unplanned pregnancies may be anxiety provoking in Zambia, it's not comparable to anxiety and lack of work productivity in the United States. I feel like we have a similar issue amongst peers and others in grueling professional programs. Stressful hours and mountains of material makes depression, anxiety, and suicide common among those in these sorts of programs. In any case, mental care is just as important as physical and dental care. Productivity can lead to more money and better job satisfaction, therefore programs like CBT in Pakistan could potentially be beneficial.
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Post by Roop Waraich (MS3) on Aug 4, 2016 16:23:58 GMT -4
This article does a great job at showing the direct correlation that mental health and productivity and intricately intertwined. It is very much true, even in daily life, as many employees of any company or institution can reiterate, its that when you feel good, you work better, and when you don't feel your best, your work and productivity suffer unintentionally. Especially in America, where the population is mainly focused on creating a better economy, and maximizing potential in each worker, there must be systems put in place to help treat depression, or any psychiatric condition. Mental health is on the rise, and there is a stigma around the word, even in today's society, where people might not want to admit they ave depression. This is a stigma that must be absolved, as mental health is a very integral part in any person's day to day life. The study in Pakistan with the CBT is an excellent example as to the positives of supplying mental health treatments to any society, as it can produce better health, better lifestyles, and better productivity. The studies in other countries, such as Pakistan, showcases and dismisses the idea that depression is a luxury illness. It is a serious condition that can affect any one person, of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, and creeds.
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Post by poojak on Aug 4, 2016 19:03:24 GMT -4
This article is highlighting the importance of mental health and it’s benefits on life style and economy. To have good mental health is to have the insight and power in ones own hand to make good decisions, which further improve their quality of life. If one has the ability to make good choices, have a good support system and healthy mindset, then they are less likely to have symptoms such as depression and anxiety. We all want to feel like we have control over our life and through improving mental health it can be achieved. This can be seen in the study conducted, in which by giving the oral contraceptives, the woman showed less signs of depression and anxiety, The had the power to choose if and when they want to get pregnant and not having to rely on their partner. Similarly, given the power to improve their mental state and the ability to make their own decisions one can really improve their life. For example, a patient being treated for depression will have a better mind set and focus to be more productive in what he wants to achieve in his life. The money isn’t just spent on drugs but also behavioural therapy and counselling which also provides significant improvement in ones mental health. To have a healthy mentality changes the person outlook on their life and gives them hope. This article is promoting mental health, which is a very ignored area of medicine, but increasingly becoming more important.
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Post by Dan Nguyen MS3 on Aug 5, 2016 9:08:36 GMT -4
I think what the article is saying, is something that we have always known. That good mental health leads to a better work environment and thus increased productivity. This is one reason why vacation days and other perks are important to any workplace. I certainly feel much more productive on the days where we have free food here at work, and certainly happier being here. I believe this focus on mental health is something that is becoming increasingly apparent to the larger companies like Google, Facebook and Apple. It is like hitting two birds with one since because a good workplace not only promotes good mental health, but also attracts much better employees.
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