Your how-to: Training on recognising mental health issues in the workplace
Training on recognising mental health issues in the workplace is an educational module based on developing the skills and knowledge of your team. The aim is to enable them to identify primary symptoms of mental health concerns within a workplace context. This training does not seek to qualify staff as mental health professionals, but rather to create an environment of understanding and awareness, aiding in early detection, prevention, and management of potential mental health issues.
Specifically, these training sessions cover a range of mental health disorders which may manifest in the workplace, the potential signs and symptoms, and ways to approach a colleague thought to be struggling. They will also provide an overview of the appropriate reporting procedures to ensure these issues are dealt with correctly and responsibly.
In line with Australia’s National Mental Health Commission's recommendations, this kind of training is integral to creating a work environment that fosters mental wellbeing. It also assists in adhering to your obligations under the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 by providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.
Step by step instructions
Understand the importance of mental health awareness Title: The Relevance of Mental Health Awareness: Understanding the importance of mental health in a workspace is a crucial aspect before beginning the training. Acknowledge the benefits it brings to both the individuals and the workplace. Read up on the reporting procedures under Fair Work Act 2009 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Plan the training Title: Structuring the Training Module: Consider how thoroughly you want your employees to understand mental health issues. This refers to what you want them to learn and to take away from the training. Plan the content, format, and schedule of the training based on the identified needs and objectives.
Deliver Title: Training Delivery: Deliver the training to your team. Make the training interactive by encouraging discussions and sharing experiences to make sure everyone understands the content.
Regular updates and refresher trainings Title: Maintain and Update Mental Health Awareness: Continue to promote mental health awareness after the training. ConSider having regular updates or refresher courses to keep the knowledge and skills learned from the training up-to-date and fresh in the employees' minds.
Identify the need Title: Need Identification: Assess the need for such a training in your workplace. Survey your employees to understand the depth of awareness and knowledge they currently possess about mental health issues.
Arrange resources Title: Allocating Resources: Identify what resources (internal or external) would be needed to deliver this training effectively. This may include hiring a guest speaker or a mental health professional, or gathering educational materials for your teams.
Monitor progress Title: Progress and Improvement: Upon completion of the training, monitor the implementation of the learned skills in the workplace and identify any potential areas that might need improvement. Regularly evaluate and modify the training as per necessity and improvements.
Reflect and Breathe: This step can be challenging, so it's important to take a moment to breathe and reflect. Pause to consider the progress made, the obstacles encountered, and the lessons learned. This reflection will not only help in gaining clarity but also in maintaining a balanced perspective, allowing for thoughtful and deliberate decision-making moving forward.
Use this template to implement
To ensure you can execute seamlessly, download the implementation template.
Pitfalls to avoid
Every member of your business should be adequately trained to identify potential mental health issues among their colleagues. Untrained employees may miss crucial signs of mental distress or misunderstand signals.
Simply referring to basic signs and symptoms of mental health issues is not enough. The training should educate employees on a broad variety of mental health conditions, the varying dynamics, potential causes, and viable interventions.
Remember, all employees are unique and may handle stress and anxiety differently. Avoid grouping everyone’s experiences together.
While it's important to create a safe and open environment for employees to discuss mental health, confidentiality must always be preserved. If staff feel their personal information will be shared unreasonably, it could discourage them from seeking help or even participating.
Stigmas associated with mental health issues can dissuade workers from speaking up about their struggles. Encourage empathy and understanding to avoid this pitfall.
Training is not a one-and-done process. Regular follow-ups and refresher classes reinforce what is learnt and maintain a healthy focus on mental health in the workplace