Mental health – reducing the stigma and having supportive conversations

Knowing that mental health is a priority in the workplace is a start. Being aware of the various mental health conditions you might come across within your organisation is even better. However, how much time have you spent actively attempting to reduce the stigma and have supportive conversations around mental health? Do your colleagues feel comfortable and able to approach you about theirs? Emily Cole (pictured) of Yellowday Training looks at how we can all reduce the stigma.

Three simple steps to reduce the stigma You can take three simple steps to show your colleagues that you are open to conversation. These steps don’t require a lot of time but will instantly impact your team:

1.Make mental health part of your daily vocabulary. In meetings, don’t dive straight into business, start by checking in with a ‘how are you?’ and make time for an answer.

2.Signpost your colleagues to support –even if they didn’t ask. There are thousands of free resources available through charities such as Mind, Mental Health at Work, Samaritans and more that are easy to display in a communal space, or add to your email signature.

3. Model the behaviour you want to see. Let your staff see you stressed, share how that makes you feel (within a reason that is comfortable to you) and show them that it is OK to not be ‘on it’ 100% of the time. When we are our busiest we so often mask our emotions to appear calm and collective, projecting an unrealistic goal to our team.

Having supportive conversations

The above steps might just start conversations that otherwise would have been left unsaid. By reducing the stigma you are opening the gates for your team to feel comfortable in sharing. A supportive conversation around mental health needs to be in a safe environment for both of the participants:

• Allow time – block it out in your diary and avoid rushing or watching the clock

• Stay positive but serious – no jokes here

• Sit down and keep your body language open and nonconfrontational – sit somewhere comfortable and uncross your arms!

• Take them seriously and be an empathetic listener –don’t rush to a solution or idea

• Put down the notepad – pay attention and give eye contact, if that is what your colleague is comfortable with.

Often, it comes down to confidence and the belief that the complex conversation mental health issues can be are better left to the professionals. Yes, it is important to direct a person struggling to the correct expert support, however, we can begin that process by making a few small changes.

Mental Health First Aiders

It may be time for your organisation to consider training a member of staff as a Mental Health First Aider. If that is something you might be interested in, there are wide range of training options to consider, depending on the size of your organisation and the role of the person taking part in the training.

Don’t forget, mental health first aid works similarly to physical first aid, and is recommended to be refreshed regularly. This helps keep a first aider up to date with support available and keep the skills fresh in their mind for if and when they need to be applied.

Upcoming online training dates:

MHFA® Mental Health First Aid

(2-day course)

20 & 22 June

Or 10 & 12 October 2023

MHFA® Mental Health First Aid

Refresher

24 October 2023

Please note, we are also able to support with in-organisation training for groups of colleagues.

For more information on Mental Health First Aid training options, please contact Emily at Yellowday Training on 02392 637 372 or emily@yellowday.co.uk

Find out about all of the training topics we can support with at www.yellowday.co.uk