Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation 2008 Lecture

Ian Hickie presents research on mental health issues in the Australian legal profession. He discusses help-seeking behaviours, productivity, disability, economic burden of illness, suicide and prevention efforts, substance use, neurobiology, treatments, gender and age differences, stigma and discrimination, and more. Extremely well-researched presentation with many statistics and perspectives. The 40 minute lecture is followed by a panel discussion, a Q&A session with the audience, and a brief talk by organization co-founder George Jepson. The Tristan Jepson Memorial Foundation works to “raise awareness, improve education and build effective models of support which focus on mental health wellbeing” in the legal profession, and funds relevant research including that of Prof. Hickie.

The Psychologically Healthy Workplace: Leaders’ Perspectives

Employers and labour leaders share practical solutions that have improved mental health in their workplaces. For more information, see the archives and resources at The Bottom Line 2011 conference on psychologically safe workplaces. See also: workplace perspectives from employees.

A-Way Express: A Courier Service for Peace of Mind

Toronto’s A-Way Express is a “social purpose courier” founded and staffed by mental health consumers, from the executive director to the couriers. This sheltered work environment is a workplace where peers are free to talk about their experiences without stigma, and have the ability to take leave from work and return as needed. However, most of the employees are part-time and paid commission from deliveries instead of a salary.

Irrational Economics

Beliefs about the labour market and irrationalities in how it really works. Ariely, an entertaining and charismatic behavioural economist, describes a number of psychology experiments in conditioning and motivation, and explains why workplace financial incentives aren’t effective beyond a certain point. Related: Daniel Pink talks about one of the same studies (an Indian workplace motivation experiment) in the animated RSA lecture Drive. Other Dan Ariely talks highlighted at Channel N: On Fake, and Tendencies of Irrational Behaviour.

Drive

The RSA has commissioned a wonderful series of hand-drawn animations from Cognitive Media, illustrating portions of their lecture series. This video uses audio from a talk on behavioural economics and motivation. Research has shown that financial incentives don’t work for work that requires thought. Why not? What does motivate people? Excellent explanation, using examples from research – now remixed with cool art. See also: the complete original lecture, and all the videos in the RSA Animate series.

There Oughta be a Law, episode 1

The devastating effects of abusive bosses on mental health, and lobbying for a law against workplace harassment. Episode one in a documentary series by director Beverly Peterson, keep watching for more. If you are struggling with depression and anxiety at work (for any reason) also check out these free self-help workbooks, Antidepressant Skills at Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace.

Office Life

Not to be confused with The Office, this is an amusing series too. Mental health issues and stigma in the workplace are the focus. The Interview, The Breakdown, and The Return.

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work

Perspectives on industrialized work, workplace psychology and Western culture. I enjoyed his recent TED Talk so much that I sought out more talks by Alain de Botton, and this lecture is equally entertaining and thought-provoking. A truly excellent speaker and original thinker.