Psych Health and Safety Podcast USA

In Episode 23, host Dr. I. David Daniels is joined by a workplace bullying researcher with experience as a social worker and civil rights attorney. Ellen Cobb is also an attorney and author of three books, including her most recent “Managing Psychosocial Hazards and Work-Related Stress in Today’s Work Environment. International Insights for U. S. Organizations.” In the book and this episode, Ms. Cobb discusses her research regarding how countries around the world are managing psychosocial hazards and what organizations in the United States can learn from these other countries. One critique of the state of Psychological Health and Safety in the United States is the lack of regulation or adopted standards regarding psychosocial hazards and how they should be addressed. However, much of what we know in this country is the product of the research that’s been done on bullying in the workplace, which we recognize as the psychosocial hazards that we know the most about.

Oil and Gas account for approximately 3% of the global GDP. Petroleum products can be found in everything from personal protective equipment, packaging, and aspirin, to clothing, fuel for transportation, and even solar panels. Workers in this industry are exposed to a range of potential hazards at different production stages—whether on the electric lines, using heavy equipment, or working around flammable gases. They are also exposed to time pressure, harsh environmental conditions, and even isolation from friends and family. Each of these can affect their physical and mental health. In an environment that can place workers at risk, it’s imperative to ensure safety is not just about rules and preventative measures—it’s also a foundational value deeply embedded in an organization’s culture. The guest for this episode is James Junkin, the CEO of Mariner-Gulf Consulting and Services, LLC, a Louisiana-based environmental, safety & health/risk management firm. Mariner Gulf was founded in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (BP oil spill) disaster. A CEO turned safety professional, James has a passion and commitment to bringing workers home from high-hazard jobs and shares that passion during this discussion.

In the OSH Act, the U. S. Congress declared it to be “its purpose and policy, through the exercise of its powers to regulate commerce among the several States and with foreign nations and to provide for the general welfare, to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources …by providing for research in the field of occupational safety and health, including the psychological factors involved, and by developing innovative methods, techniques, and approaches for dealing with occupational safety and health problems.” In 2003, the Total Worker Health® approach originated from the 2003 NIOSH Steps to a Healthier US Workforce Initiative. The goals of this initiative were to protect, support, and enhance workers’ health through comprehensive programs for safe and healthy work, integrated with health-supportive environments and access to adequate health care. In 2005, NIOSH developed a new NIOSH Work-Life Initiative in 2005, which sought to improve overall worker health through better work-based programs, policies, practices, and benefits. In 2011, NIOSH renamed “Work Life” to the Total Worker Health® Program, committed to developing knowledge focused on the integration of occupational safety and health protection and health promotion. This episode’s guest is Chia-Chia Chang, the Partnership and New Opportunity Development Coordinator in the Office for Total Worker Health at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Ms. Chang will share not only the history but the present and her view on what the future of worker health in the United States could be with a national focus on the broad spectrum of worker health.

Every year, approximately 200,000 U. S. military service members transition to civilian life. Many of these veterans become incredibly valued members of the civilian workforce. Most employers recognize and value the wide-ranging experience and transferable skills that veterans bring to the civilian workforce: An overwhelming 94% say that hiring veteran workers is appealing to their organization. As veterans prepare to meet the demands of the civilian workplace, many face unique challenges, such as finding job opportunities that match their military experience and skills. In this episode, host Dr. I. David Daniels will speak with two veterans of slightly difficult generations and service experiences in the same branch of the military. Michael Carson and Isaiah Hughes share their perspective on not only life as a veteran of the armed forces, but they provide their view on how employers can be more psychologically healthy and safe for veterans. It is not enough to hire veterans; it’s important to create a safe space so former members of the military can both bring their whole selves and be their best selves

A significant portion of the U.S. population lives in areas lacking mental-health workers. Residents of underserved areas have roughly a quarter of the providers they need, in aggregate, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation says. Additionally, more than 150 million people live in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas. The global pandemic has exacerbated this shortage by accelerating the departure of tenured therapists, combined with the lack of entrants into the field, particularly in rural communities and communities of color. Dr. Tara Miller, Ph.D., is a Licensed Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor, Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor, Board Certified Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinician, and Certified Anger Management Specialist in her hometown, a city with a population of 5,000. She is also a business owner, the leader of a non-profit, and a member of the city council. Dr. Miller believes that approaches to mental health should be customized based on the person. Dr. Miller believes cookie-cutter approaches are ineffective and can signal potential “compassion fatigue” or burnout for the clinician. To avoid this challenge, her non-profit “Choose You 365” focuses on encouraging each person to put themselves first and attend to the “self-fullness” necessary to be effective in helping professions. https://chooseu365.org/

Jaimie Feinberg is not only a safety professional; with nearly 20 years in safety, she is a millennial who has a lived experience in several organizations of not feeling safe herself. While her experience is not unique, her courage and ability to share it are unique, especially for younger workers. Jaime shares what she has seen in the past and what she is currently experiencing in a start-up company where she feels safe and feels that she belongs. She attributes much of this feeling to her company's focus on workers, safety culture, and maintaining this culture as they grow. Jaime will also share how this employee-focused perspective is fuelling their work as a company as they prepare to launch a new product into the substance testing space. This episode will challenge many traditional views on psychological health and safety, impairment, and the approaches that some have taken to respond to these issues. The conversation also provides pointers for leaders and employers looking to become more psychologically safe for those who work with them.

This episode features a conversation with one of the co-founders of Hummingly whose vision is “Everyone has access to the world's best advice in the toughest of times.” Jolie Wills is a cognitive scientist who utilizes her lived experience as a survivor of a major disaster, as well as a body of research conducted across the globe, to help individuals, teams, and organizations focus on the psychological health and safety of those they interact with. Lessons learned in the aftermath of significant events, can apply to every level of the organization in disaster situations or in many of the routine challenges that face us all.

In the aftermath of the suicide of a 31-year-old firefighter in 2016, family and colleagues suggested that one contributing factor was lewd and harassing comments that had been made about the firefighter in a popular online forum. In response to this and other incidents, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) established a Task Force to help identify and prevent bullying, harassment, and violence in the fire rescue service. Across the United States for the past 100 years, October has been celebrated as National Fire Prevention Month. In 2022, October is also the 16th celebration of World Bullying Prevention Month. In this episode of the Psych Health and Safety USA podcast, Fire Chief Dr. Scott Kerwood and Fire Chief David Emanuel discuss their involvement in ongoing efforts to address one of the most commonly occurring and best understood psychosocial hazards (bullying) and how it impacts one of America’s most respected occupations.

For over 20 years, Antoinette Tull has been a professional facilitator and an accomplished Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). With her assistance, the Richmond (VA) Police department became the most inclusive law enforcement agency serving a mid-sized city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the Founder and CEO of Antionette Tull of Hurtle, LLC, which focuses on facilitation, HR business, and career coaching, she delivers comprehensive HR-centric facilitations designed to address the workforce challenges uniquely specific to law enforcement agencies, fire service, and emergency communications personnel. Her experience as an HR professional fuels her passion for ensuring that workers, especially those in public safety organizations, are seen as human beings and supported in ways that help them provide the highest service levels. In this episode, she shares her views regarding the connection between effective human resource management of psychologically healthy and safe organizations.

Rosa Carrillo, an expert in relationship-centered leadership and psychological health, shares insights on the vital link between effective leadership and employee well-being. She highlights how managers significantly influence retention, with many employees willing to quit due to poor leadership. Carrillo discusses the importance of emotional intelligence, inclusivity, and open dialogue in fostering a supportive workplace. Her unique perspective emphasizes that strong relationships and understanding diverse needs are crucial for transforming safety and organizational culture.