< PreviousHealth & Wellness 202320 FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2023 F iona McDougall, owner and director of Healthy Futures Ltd., estimates that average employees spend 35% of their waking lives in the workplace. “That’s more than a third of our waking time for our adult lives,” she says. Exposure to the workplace environment for 35% of our waking lives can have significant effects on an individual’s mental health, both positive and negative. Whether these effects are positive or negative can depend on workplace culture. A positive workplace environment can enhance mental well-being by providing: 1. A sense of purpose and related boost to self-esteem 2. Social support 3. Career growth 4. Work-life balance due to flexible work environment and reasonable workload 5. Recognition and reward, which can improve self-worth and job satisfaction. A toxic workplace environment can contribute to mental health issues by creating: 1. Chronic stress due to high work demands, unrealistic expectations, or excessive workload 2. Burnout due to prolonged exposure to stress and overwhelming responsibilities 3. Isolation and loneliness 4. Lack of autonomy due to micromanagement 5. Job insecurity and related anxiety and stress. “It’s important to note that the impact of the workplace on mental health varies from person to person and can depend on individual resilience, coping mechanisms, and personal circumstances,” says Sutton Burke, owner and clinical director at Infinite Mindcare. EFFECT ON EMPLOYERS Employee mental health can have a significant impact on employers and businesses, both directly and indirectly. “It’s not only a moral imperative but also a strategic business decision for organisations to prioritise and support the mental health of their employees,” explains Fiona. Impacts include: 1. Productivity: Good mental health is closely linked to higher productivity as employees will be generally more engaged, focused, and motivated. Employees struggling with mental health issues may find it challenging to concentrate and complete tasks efficiently. 2. Absenteeism: Employees may need time off to cope with mental health issues or seek treatment. Frequent absences can disrupt workflow, increase workload on others, and lead to decreased productivity. 3. Turnover and attrition: Employees experiencing chronic mental health problems may be more likely to leave their jobs in search of a healthier work environment or reduced stress. High turnover can be costly for businesses due to recruitment and training expenses. 4. Employee morale and engagement: A workplace that promotes mental well-being can have higher morale and engagement levels. A lack of support or a stressful work environment can lead to decreased morale and disengagement. 5. Team dynamics: Mental health issues can impact team dynamics, causing conflicts or reduced collaboration. A supportive and inclusive workplace culture can help mitigate these challenges. 6. Legal and compliance issues: Ignoring or mishandling mental health issues, as well as MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE Sutton BurkeFiona McDougall21 FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2023 Health & Wellness 2023 MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE discrimination or failure to provide reasonable accommodations, can lead to legal and compliance problems for employers. 7. Reputation and brand image: A workplace that is perceived as neglecting employee mental health may suffer damage to its reputation and brand image, making it less attractive to potential employees and customers. Fiona says that employers can do much to support the mental health of employees, and that it should be viewed as a long-term commitment to creating a sustainable and resilient workforce, and should be tailored specifically to their organisation. “It starts with leadership leading by example and ensuring that all managers and supervisors have been trained to “do no harm” to employees – physically or mentally,” she says. “Training needs to be followed up with workplace policies and investments to support optimal mental well-being for all employees.” Training courses include: 1. Mental health awareness and stigma reduction training 2. Mental health first aid training 3. Crisis response (in the workplace) training 4. Leadership coaching and development programmes 5. Team building and team dynamics – relationship (RQ) training 6. Emotional intelligence (EQ) training 7. Conflict resolution and communication skills 8. Stress management and resilience training 9. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training 10. Work-life balance training As well as training, employers should: 1. Provide comprehensive mental health benefits, including access to therapy, counselling services, and psychiatric care and ensure that mental health coverage is on par with physical health coverage in employee insurance plans. 2. Implement employee assistance programmes (EAPs) that offer confidential counselling and support services to employees and their families. 3. Foster a culture of openness and acceptance and conduct awareness campaigns and training to reduce the stigma associated with mental health challenges. 4. Allow flexible work hours or remote work options to manage work-life balance and reduce stress. 5. Monitor and manage workloads and encourage employees to take breaks and use their vacation time. 6. Develop wellness programmes that encompass mental health promotion, physical fitness, and stress management. 7. Be willing to make reasonable accommodations for employees with mental health conditions, such as flexible schedules or modified work duties. 8. Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins between managers and employees to discuss work-related stressors and mental health concerns. 9. Develop a crisis response plan that outlines steps to take when an employee is in crisis, including contacting mental health professionals or emergency services. 10. Gather feedback from employees through surveys or focus groups to assess the effectiveness of mental health initiatives and make improvements accordingly. Sutton stresses: “By prioritising mental health, workplaces can create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally.” Health & Wellness 202322 FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2023 Artificial intelligence is making significant inroads in the advancement of hearing aid technology. While traditional hearing aids are effective in amplifying sound, they require adjustments for different environments, such as a noisy restaurant or crowded room. This process can often be time- consuming and frustrating. That’s where AI comes in, offering a revolutionary solution for those with hearing impairments as the devices adapt automatically to changing surroundings. “Traditional hearing aids typically offer fixed settings or manual adjustments,” says Dr. Annette Stephenson, founder and CEO of Cayman Hearing Center. “AI hearing aids can adapt to a user’s listening environment in real-time. They continuously analyse the sound environment and adjust settings, such as volume and noise reduction, to optimise the listening experience.” This makes hearing aids more personalised and effective than ever, leading to improved communication and quality of life. “AI hearing devices can create personalised hearing profiles based on a user’s preferences and specific hearing needs,” says Dr. Stephenson. “Traditional hearing aids often lack this level of customisation.” AI has also enabled remote adjustments and monitoring of hearing aids. “Real-time adjustments to a user’s hearing aid through tele-audiology platforms can now be made by audiologists, reducing the need for frequent in- person visits, which was a welcomed benefit during the pandemic and lockdown,” says Dr. Stephenson. Hearing device usage is monitored, providing insights to both users and audiologists. “This data can help in optimising device settings and improve overall outcomes. The audiologist can only access this data via proprietary software; the hearing devices are not transmitting information randomly,” Dr. Stephenson notes. In addition, personalised tinnitus management solutions are available, including sound therapy and counselling, which may not be as readily available in traditional hearing aids. Dr. Stephenson notes several options are available in wearable devices in the realm of hearing technology, including: • Hearing aids • Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices that can restore hearing for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. AI technology can improve their sound processing capabilities, enhancing their hearing experience. • Assistive listening devices (ALDs): ALDs include devices like personal sound amplifiers and FM systems that can be worn or carried by the user to improve sound clarity in specific situations, such as classrooms or theatres. These can be used instead of, or in conjunction with, a hearing aid. • Hearing enhancement earbuds: These AI- powered earbuds are designed to enhance hearing for individuals with mild hearing loss or those seeking better audio quality in various environments. Individuals may prefer these aids; they don’t look like a typical hearing aid but resemble a cell phone earbud. • Tinnitus maskers: These wearable devices produce sounds to mask or alleviate the perception of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), providing relief to individuals with this condition. These can also be used with or without a hearing aid. HELP WITH HEARING LOSS AI is also contributing towards the research and development of hearing loss technology, according to Dr. Stephenson. “As researchers and developers continue to learn more about the hearing mechanism, AI is proving to be a valuable tool in aiding this research,” she says. “With its capabilities, AI is helping improve the technology and making it more effective for those with hearing impairments.” HOW AI IS TRANSFORMING THE HEARING AID EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE AI is transforming healthcare in numerous ways, offering the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare systems. Dr. Stephenson notes key ways in which AI is making significant impacts in the healthcare field: • Diagnosis and disease detection • Medical imaging • Pathology • Predictive analytics • Drug discovery • Personalised treatment • Remote monitoring and telemedicine • Electronic health records • Natural language processing • Robotics and automation • Patient engagement and education • Drug adherence Dr. Annette Stephenson with patients in her clinic, Cayman Hearing Center. Images: Diant e Sc ott23 FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2023 Health & Wellness 2023 Images: Diant e Sc ott YOUR HEALTH CHAMPION 24/7 urgent care supported by your family doctor Fostering a strong relationship between patients and family doctors goes beyond appointments – it’s about building a bridge to holistic wellness. From preventive care to ongoing management, your family doctor will be your partner at every step, guiding you toward a healthier, happier life. And when you need your family doctor after hours, our integrated provider approach ensures that urgent care doctors work in sync with your family doctor afterwards for comprehensive care. Integra Healthcare Ltd. |Grand Pavilion & Harbour Walk | Integra.ky | +1 345.745.7450 Doctors Hospital | 16 Middle Rd., George Town, Walkers Rd. | doctorshospitalcayman.com | +1 345.325.9000Health & Wellness 202324 FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2023 info@healthcity.ky | +1 (345) 640 4040 | www.healthcity.ky More advanced care, closer to home Opening Spring 2024, our new hospital at Camana Bay will give families throughout the Caribbean access to world-class healthcare facilities across many specialties. 60,000 sq ft Hospital Campus Emergency Room & Intensive Care Units Cath Lab Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Advanced Maternity Facilities PET CT, X-Ray, MRI & Mammogram Facilities Operating Rooms Trauma CentreRadiation Oncology & Cancer CareNext >