Course on Managing Mental Health in the Workplace

We have collaborated with the Institute on Governance to deliver a course on how to manage mental health in the workplace with government leaders.  Mental health issues affect many employees with adverse impacts on well-being and work performance. The fast rising number of disability claims are very costly and negatively impact workplace productivity and culture. Research shows that almost 25% of disability claims can be reduced by employers taking the right actions.  With early detection and intervention methods most employees can overcome mental health issues and return to work.
This course will give federal government managers and leaders the knowledge and tools to better manage workplace mental health.  They will know how to recognize employee warning signs and psychological stress, respond to it, and monitor risk. And they will leave with a plan of action for addressing mental health in a proactive and defensible manner.
Specifically, at the end of this course, participants will know:

  • The psychological workplace hazards to be watching for
  • The preventative workplace culture requirements for avoiding mental health risks among employees
  • The responsibilities, duty and legal requirements for managing mental health issues
  • The boundaries around privacy and confidentiality when responding to mental health issues
  • The difference between mental distress, mental injury and mental illness and how each are dealt with in the workplace; knowing who and how to engage
  • The risks associated with intervention and involvement in dealing with mental health situations. What is the right balance?
  • How to set in progress the right managerial actions to support individuals and the organization.
  • How to effectively communicate and create an emotionally safe environment of respect that promotes wellness and avoids stigma.

Our learning solution uses an experiential approach.  Participants will use and build upon their real life experiences through dialogue-based methods and receive guidance based on best practices. Methods will also include self-assessment questionnaires and practical tools such as a Check List of Manager Do’s and Don’ts.