I read the latest pop-psych instalment from Edmonston on the ‘science’ of failing well. It’s amazing how gullible people are when someone throws in the word ‘science’, when what follows has nothing to do with science. Heinrich used this strategy (https://safetyrisk.net/hoodwinked-by-heinrich/) years … [Read more...] about More Pop-Psych on Failure and Other Safety Entertainment
Mental health
The Naivety of Psychological Safety
One of the fascinating things about the Discourse of ‘psychological safety’ is its many silences. This is despite the fact that the advocates for psychological safety argue that silence is the problem. Apparently, the test for psychological safety is speaking up and being critical. Yet, most of what … [Read more...] about The Naivety of Psychological Safety
Scars That Never Heal
One of the grand delusions of Safety is its focus on physical harm. This is fostered by the silly language of ‘hazards’ and ‘controls’. Even then, the silly industry describes psychosocial harm as a ‘hazard’ (https://safetyrisk.net/what-is-psychosocial-safety/ ). You couldn’t make such stupidity … [Read more...] about Scars That Never Heal
WIIFM as a Foundational Cause of Mental Health Issues
What’s In It For Me (WIIFM) is one of the foundational causes of mental health issues. When we accept a culture with a focus on individualism, consumerism, behaviourism and self-interest we accept the foundations for toxic living. We may have access to smart technology and Technique but we don’t … [Read more...] about WIIFM as a Foundational Cause of Mental Health Issues
Understanding Mental Health as a Wicked Problem
One of the great Cons in Safety is that mental health is a brain problem, cognition problem, simple, easy or a behavioural problem (https://safetyrisk.net/the-aihs-phs-con/ ). Mental health is about none of these and it certainly can’t be helped by a checklist app based on behaviourism. Anyone … [Read more...] about Understanding Mental Health as a Wicked Problem
The AIHS PHS Con
The PHS Con 24 is an event proposed by the AIHS branded as ‘Psych Health’. The real problem about this is that the safety industry doesn’t understand psychosocial issues as a ‘health’ issue but rather as a ‘hazard’. We all know that Safety is fixated with hazards … [Read more...] about The AIHS PHS Con
Change in Safety and Cognitive Dissonance
It is rare that any change or shift in worldview comes without discomfort and Cognitive Dissonance. Cognitive Dissonance is more than just discomfort and, invokes a threat to identity, belonging and worldview. Cognitive Dissonance was first explained by Leon Festinger. Festinger (1919-1989) is a … [Read more...] about Change in Safety and Cognitive Dissonance
Addiction in Certainty and the Harm of Addiction In Safety
One of the best books I have read on addiction is by Gabor Mate (2008) In the Realm of The Hungry Ghosts. Of course, there are many other sources that help explain the psychology of addiction but Mate is particularly helpful in situating addiction in social context. The idea that addiction is a … [Read more...] about Addiction in Certainty and the Harm of Addiction In Safety
Burnout, Distress and Role Conflict in Safety
One of the first signs of distress in role conflict is loss of sleep, sleep disorder or psychosocial fatigue. We know that in whatever you do - The Body Keeps the Score (Van De Kolk ). As much as behaviourists and the great safety con might want to tell you, humans are not bodies driven by a … [Read more...] about Burnout, Distress and Role Conflict in Safety
Are You At-Risk of Burnout in Safety?
One of the findings of Rosa Carrillo’s book Voices From the Resistance is that many people in safety are at risk of burnout. The symptoms of risk of burnout are: You feel mentally exhausted at work. You struggle to feel enthusiastic about your job. You have trouble concentrating when … [Read more...] about Are You At-Risk of Burnout in Safety?