Mental Health First Aid Training: How To Start The Conversation
Did you know that PR is considered one of the most stressful jobs? CareerCast rated public relations as the eighth most stressful job on its 2019 Most Stressful Jobs list. The media landscape is constantly evolving and the industry is dictated by tight deadlines. This, coupled with an ‘always on’ mentality – the news does not stop – it is hardly surprising that PR made the top list of most stressful jobs. What’s more, 75% of mental health problems are established by the age of 24. Given that many agencies have a talent pool of young people and this age group are at risk of developing mental health issues, it is imperative employers do everything they can to support the wellbeing of their staff. That’s not to say the younger generation are the only group to be at risk. Mental health does not discriminate. Just as companies support employees with physical health conditions, mental health needs to be no different.
This is why I decided to do a mental health awareness course with Mental Health First Aid England. The half day course was conducted remotely over Zoom and was delivered as a group with a mixture of written exercises and discussions. Our instructor walked us through the various signs to spot in order to recognise mental ill health. We also learned how to start a mental health conversation. These are five key takeaways I learned about initiating a discussion with a colleague:
1) Find a private setting where the person is most comfortable. This might be outside the office. Meeting in a neutral space can feel less intimidating.
2) Keep the chat positive. Body language is also key – present yourself in an open and non- confrontational way.
3) Consider cultural differences. Workplaces are diverse and so keep in mind differences in communication e.g. how much eye contact is appropriate.
4) Show empathy but remember to respect the other person’s feelings. It is crucial you do not judge or criticise how someone is feeling based on your own beliefs or attitudes.
5) Give the person your full attention and focus. Turn your phone on silent to avoid interruptions. Listen to their words, tone and body language – this will give you clues as to how they are feeling.
The course opened my eyes to the fact that we can all be doing more to support our friends, family and colleagues. After completing the course, I felt empowered knowing I have a better understanding on how to spot the signs and how to approach a colleague in the workplace about their mental wellbeing. I urge everyone, whatever industry you are in, to make sure at least one person in your team does a mental health first aid training course. Mental health support needs to be at the top of the agenda for every business.
#MentalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #Training # MentalHealthFirstAidEngland