Your how-to: Organising an introductory mental health awareness session
Organising an introductory mental health awareness session in your workplace is a concerted effort to increase understanding among employees about mental health problems. It is an educational session designed to help staff recognise early signs of mental wellbeing issues so they can assist themselves or their co-workers in acquiring appropriate assistance promptly.
This initiative is especially pivotal to promoting a proactive approach to mental health, considering the significant impact of mental health on individual performance, workplace environment, and overall productivity. A well-structured session should include fundamental details about various mental health conditions, recognising their symptoms, their potential impact on work and personal life, and guidance on crucial dialogue surrounding mental wellbeing.
The overall aim is to eliminate stigmas, foster inclusivity, and provide resources to help facilitate healthy discussions regarding mental health within an organisation. Proper implementation can help promote a more understanding, supportive, and resilient employment environment.
In Australia, implementing such awareness sessions isn't just beneficial, but aligns with the ethos of the Safe Work Australia framework that stresses the importance of mental health in workplace health and safety regulations.
Step by step instructions
Understand the Importance and Scope: Before you begin, ensure that you understand the importance and need for a mental health awareness session. Familiarise yourself with the wide gamut of mental health issues and their impacts on the workplace and personal life. This understanding would be crucial in being proactive and creating a work environment that supports mental health.
Develop Goals and Objectives: Determine what you want to achieve from the session. This could be increasing awareness, reducing stigma, or providing resources for support. Define clear objectives to guide you further.
Seek Expert Involvement: If possible, involve mental health professionals. Their expertise and knowledge can add immense value to the session. They can help in content creation and act as speakers for the event.
Schedule the Session: Choose a date and time that will maximise attendance. Communicate the date, time, and purpose of the session to everyone in advance.
Build a Planning Team: Assemble a diverse team to organise the event. This could include HR personnel, operations and team leaders from various departments, and ideally a mental health professional. Diverse perspectives will ensure that all aspects of mental health are included.
Identify the Scope of Content: Based on the goals, decide what topics to cover. This could include an introduction to different mental health conditions, dealing with stress, stigma, and support systems. Remember, the content should be beneficial and informative to all attendees.
Choose the Format: Decide on the format of the session, whether it will be a workshop, a lecture, an interactive session, or a mix of these. It will largely depend on the content and the size of the group.
Prep Logistics: Organise necessary logistics like a suitable venue, audio-visual equipment, handouts or materials for session, etc.
Use this template to implement
To ensure you can execute seamlessly, download the implementation template.
Pitfalls to avoid
Successful implementation of a mental health awareness programme relies heavily on the engagement and support from senior managers and leaders within the firm. Lack of support from this level could result in poor uptake and engagement from employees, thus limiting effectiveness.
Addressing mental health can be an intensely personal and sensitive topic. Avoid a "one-size-fits-all" approach that might inadvertently cause distress or discomfort. Tailor your content to be culturally sensitive and inclusive, and ensure that there is the option for employees to seek additional support if needed.
The session should end with a clear plan of action for continuous support and resources. If these plans aren't in place, it will cause frustration and might lead the attendees to feel that their issues aren't taken seriously.
Organising an effective session requires resources, including a suitable venue, professional therapists or trainers, and time away from work for the employees. A failure to adequately budget for these resources might lead to cutbacks that compromise the quality of the session.
In Australia, any Employee Assistance Programmes or initiatives that deal with personal and health information must meet the terms of the Privacy Act 1988. Failure to do so will not only jeopardise your awareness session but may also potentially lead to legal consequences.
With an increasing number of employees working remotely, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to account for these workers in your planning. Offering alternatives such as online sessions can ensure these individuals feel included and supported.