Cynthia Crespo-Bonaparte, Safety Manager (Hospital and Clinical Safety Program), UTHealth Houston
National statistics and multiple independent studies indicate that our nation is experiencing a mental and behavioural health crisis that impacts individuals at home, school, and work. While occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals are formally trained on the recognition of a standardized set of traditional workplace hazards, they are not typically equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognize indications of mental or behavioural health concerns, nor the appropriate steps to be taken once aware of this
information.
This presentation will first describe the scope and magnitude of our country’s mental and behavioural health crisis and then provide examples of the indications that might be observed, detected, or encountered during OHS’s traditional functions within an organization.
Then, most importantly, the presentation will guide EHS staff on how to act on such knowledge to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all parties involved.
