36. Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Public Health Culture

Megan Hunter is the founder of Peak + Prairie Co. Health Promotion and is on a mission to translate evidence based health information into understanding and action. Peak + Prairie provides best practice, evidence based health information to inform health-based decisions, particularly decisions around workplace wellness. She is in the process of earning her Masters of Science in Health Promotion and Sociobehavioral Studies. Her thesis work is focused on how the workplace has changed due to COVID-19 and the effects that has had on employment health. She lives in Calgary, Canada and also has a grey and white pet rabbit!

In This Episode We Cover:

• How public health is a “hidden force” all around us and we often don’t see it.
• The often overlooked but crucial importance of mental health in the workplace.
• The importance of a healthy psychological workplace.
• How her own mental health challenges have helped shape her work.
• Why the culture of a workplace varies and what kind of culture is necessary for health.
• The first steps someone can take to create a healthy workplace for employees.
• Why self-care is a crucial part of a workplace of wellness.
• The effects the pandemic has had on people’s work.
• Tips on how she manages it all.
• How to get started in this field.

Stand-Out Quotes:

• “I am most passionate about creating places, spaces, cultures, communities where mental health is protected.”
• “Without good mental health it’s harder to take care of physical health.”
• “We have to do this (create cultures of wellness in the workplace) collectively or it's not going to work.
• “We are not willing to accept the needs of others because we haven’t accepted our own. It starts with understanding your own needs and what it takes to take care of yourself.”
• “If we are putting in that work we all deserve at least a living wage so no one is under the poverty line. We shouldn’t have to be working 3 jobs to make a living wage.”
• “We can all just be a little kinder to ourselves.”
• “Be passionate about connecting with people.”

Reach Out:

• Email: [e-mail]
• Website: peakandprairieco.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-k-hunter/
• Facebook: Peak + Prairie Co. Health Promotion
• Instagram: @peakandprairiehealthpromotion
• Podcast: https://anchor.fm/peakandprairieco

If you would like to be a guest on Public Health Culture, complete the questionnaire here: https://www.publichealthresearchconsulting.com/podcast-guest-application/