Expert Sources Available from CAMH for Mental Health Week, May 5-11
TORONTO, May 5 /CNW/ - Research shows that 31% of the working population
experience chronic work stress. Mental health issues, if left untreated can
lead to other serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and
substance abuse.
Mental health and addiction problems represent an immense burden on
individuals, workplaces, health-care systems and the economy. Mental health
claims are the fastest growing category of disability claims and the majority
of long-term disability claims have a significant mental health component.
Mental Health Week's theme this year is "Mental Health: Make it Your
Business" and focuses on the role that employers and businesses can play in
making their workplace a mentally healthy and productive environment. The
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) actively leads clinical
treatment and research in workplace mental health and has experts in these
areas available for interview this week.
Dr. Carolyn Dewa, Program Head, Work and Well-being Research and
Evaluation Program, CAMH and Applied Public Health Chair, Canadian Institutes
of Health Research (CIHR), Institute of Public and Population Health and the
Public Health Agency of Canada.
Using a trans-disciplinary approach to research, Dr. Dewa investigates
workplace mental health by examining the impact of work on people with mental
illness, and the workplace's impact on mental health. She is also involved in
community mental health program evaluation, and economic evaluation
initiatives. One of her current studies involves the use of a pedometer to
measure the effect of physical activity in alleviating stress in the
workplace.
Dr. Hester Dunlap and Dr. Katy Kamkar, Clinical Psychologists, Work,
Stress and Health Program, CAMH.
CAMH's Work, Stress and Health Program takes an evidence-based approach
to treatment, with an emphasis on education, cognitive behavioural therapy
(CBT), pharmacological interventions and physical exercise. This program also
provides workplace consultation and training in collaboration with employers
regarding occupational mental health issues.
Dr. Carles Muntaner, Chair in Psychiatry and Addiction Nursing Research,
CAMH and Chair of World Health Organization's (WHO) Employment Conditions
Knowledge Network. He is a social epidemiologist and gives the WHO Commission
a unique international perspective on the mental health of workers.
As part of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health of the WHO,
the Employment Conditions Knowledge Network investigates how different types
of labour markets, employment and working conditions affect workers' health
and mental health within a global comparative and multidisciplinary
perspective. The Commission itself draws attention to the social determinants
of health, which are known to be among the worst causes of poor health and
inequalities between and within countries, to improve health equity through
inter-sectoral health policies.
Colin Perrier, Research Scientist, Community Research and Support Unit
(CRSU), CAMH.
Focused on the social determinants of health, the CRSU conducts
evaluation and applied research studies relating to employment for individuals
with mental illness and addictions. The majority of this research is focused
on barriers to return-to-work and the supports needed to facilitate return and
retention.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest
mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world's
leading research centres in the area of addiction and mental health. CAMH
combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health
promotion to transform the lives of people affected by mental health and
addiction issues.
CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan
American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.
For further information: To arrange interviews please contact Kirk
LeMessurier, Manager Public Affairs, CAMH at (416) 535-8501 x6631, or
kirk_lemessurier@camh.net
