Mental health in an organization – training for leaders

How to support mental health of your employees? Initial diagnosis and work with an employee in a psychological crisis

The pandemic has affected many areas of our life, increasing levels of stress and uncertainty, while reducing the sense of security. Chronic stress, depression, burnout – these are just a few of the ailments faced by employees and leaders themselves. Research shows that roughly 25 percent of adults struggle with some form of mental health problems.

Many employees say that their immediate supervisor does not notice the existence of health issues or a family bereavement. Excessive workload, workaholism and a lack of a sense of control are leading to burnout more and more often.

Given the key role of managers in building a supportive and engaging work environment, it is important for leaders to know how to respond to emergencies, provide psychological first aid, and support the mental health of employees. It is important for them to know where the limits to their support are and how they should take care of themselves.

During the training, participants will learn how to support the mental health and toughness of their employees.

 

Leadership training program

HOW TO SUPPORT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES:

1. In order to manage you need to understand first: How does the human brain change in a crisis situation?

• What is an acute and chronic crisis? What is the impact of a high level of stress, uncertainty and changes on human functioning?
• Stress dynamics in a pandemic. Stress sources and coping methods.
• Human needs in changing conditions and how the leader can respond to them.

2. Initial diagnosis – identifying signs of crisis

• What symptoms and behaviors may suggest that an employee might be in a psychological crisis? 
• Identifying signals that indicate possible difficulties for the employee.
• How to recognize signs of crisis when we work remotely / in a hybrid model? Assessment of the employee’s functioning.

3. Psychological first aid – how to support the mental health of employees

• What is it and who can provide it?
• Holding a diagnostic and support conversation – the conversation structure in 4 steps.
• Patterns of activity and examples of most appropriate communications.
• Emotional support and developing an action plan.
• Types of support.

4. Dilemmas related to psychological first aid:

• How to react when an employee resists your help?
• Adjusting work to an employee in crisis.
• Dealing with emotions – what to do when an employee displays strong emotions?
• The limits to the leader’s responsibility.

5. Job burnout

• What is the burnout syndrome and what are its consequences for the employee and the employer?
• What working environment conditions affecting the risk of burnout are in the area of influence of the employee and the leader?
• How to determine the risk of job burnout?
• What actions to take depending on the diagnosis?
• How to prevent employee burnout?

6. What’s next? How to take care of the team?

• How to proceed when the crisis continues and we see no changes for the better? The limits of empathy.
• What about the team? Should they be informed about the crisis situation and if yes, how?
• How to communicate the crisis situation to the team in order to look after the entire team?
• Returning to work after medical leave – preparing for return

7. Dealing with emotions and stress – the well-being of the leader

• How to deal with your own emotions in a difficult situation?
• Occupational health and safety rules when giving support – how to keep giving without losing energy?
• How to “filter” yourself, relieve tension and take care of your well-being?

Participants of the training program called “Mental health in an organization – how to support mental health of your employees” will:

• Learn how to support mental health of their employees
• Gain practical knowledge in the field of psychological first aid, thanks to the analysis of cases and learning the procedures for providing support,
• Learn how to recognize the psychological difficulties in an employee and the signs of crisis,
• Raise awareness of how humans operate in a crisis situation
• Learn about the structure of conversations and reactions in various cases – they will receive materials describing the procedure step by step,
• Make their role in providing aid real and set their limits,
• Learn how to take care of the work environment to minimize the risk of burnout,
• Take care of their emotions properly to avoid burnout and getting overwhelmed by their responsibility for others.

Training methods:

• Group work
• Mini-lectures
• Moderated discussions
• Mini-projects
• Individual exercises
• Case studies

Form of training: online or stationary

We will adjust the coaching program to the challenges and needs of your organization.