Mental Health Awareness Training for Employers

Aims and Objectives The importance of good mental wellbeing Commonly held perceptions about mental health Common signs and symptoms of poor mental health Strategies for early intervention and support

Why is mental health important? Exercise: what impact do mental health issues have on our business?

Good mental health is important because… “There is no Health without Mental Health” (Dept of Health 2011)

Mental Ill Health: The Statistics A recent CIPD survey found that: 37% of sufferers are more likely to get into conflict with colleagues 57% find it harder to juggle multiple tasks 80% find it difficult to concentrate 62% take longer to do tasks 50% are potentially less patient with customers / clients. Further studies have also found that 1 in 4 people have mental health issues and costs UK employers an estimated £30 billion each year in absence, recruitment and lost productivity.

How do we view mental health? Exercise: what do you think of when you hear the word mental?

Culture of Science So we are a little scared of it So we don’t talk much about it So we don’t learn much about it So we don’t recognise it We don’t know much about it

Employees are reluctant to raise the subject So we don’t talk much about it… Employees are reluctant to raise the subject Managers shy away

Which are mental health conditions and which are not? Dyslexia M.E. / Chronic fatigue Depression Asperger syndrome Stress Bipolar disorder Autism Epilepsy Anxiety Psychosis Schizophrenia Learning difficulties

What is mental ill health? Mental health is a state of well-being. Mental ill health has a varied definition. It has a wide spectrum, from the worries and grief we all experience as part of every day life to the most bleak, suicidal depression or complete loss of touch with everyday reality.

The Mental Health Continuum Maximum mental wellbeing A person with a diagnosis of a serious illness but who copes well and positive mental wellbeing A person with no illness or disorder and positive mental wellbeing A person with a diagnosis of a serious mental health condition and who has poor mental wellbeing A person with no diagnosis but has poor mental wellbeing Maximum mental illness / disorder Minimal mental illness / disorder Minimal mental wellbeing

Common mental health conditions Stress and pressure Anxiety Depression Bi-polar disorder Psychosis and schizophrenia Eating disorders Drug and alcohol addiction Obsessive compulsive disorders Self harm More severe conditions

What damages mental health? Misuse of drugs and alcohol Other extreme behaviours Avoidance and isolation Lack of activity or over activity Lack of valued job or role Repeated dismissive or disrespectful treatment Discrimination Bullying and harassment Poverty and social deprivation Exclusion or abuse Prolonged uncertainty or anxiety

How can we recover? Medication Psychological therapies Specialist services Good help and support at work

Spot the signs Changes in behaviour Irritability Tiredness Lateness Physical symptoms e.g. headaches Emotional symptoms Saying things like “I can’t cope” Other staff concerns Other staff avoiding this person

Overlapping factors you can try to influence: What can we influence? Factors you can influence in work: Workload Work variety Work relationships Involvement Culture of disclosure Communication Bullying Factors you cannot control outside work: Childhood experiences Family relationships Addiction problems Finances Genetics Crime Housing Bereavement Overlapping factors you can try to influence: Money Status Friendships Sense of purpose Stress Coping strategies Lifestyle choices

How do we engage with staff? Exercise: how would you approach the case study scenarios?

How to engage with staff Who starts the conversation? How to respond? What to say? Recognising when professional help is needed? Dealing with emotions

The conversation DO: Have a conversation in a private place Make sure there are no interruptions Be focused on supporting your employee Ask open questions, e.g. “I was wondering how you are doing.” Allow the person time to answer Try to see yourself in their shoes and see things from their perspective Make arrangements for a follow up meeting to review the situation DO NOT: Attempt to start a conversation in front of everyone else Initiate a conversation if you’ve got another appointment looming Attempt to diagnose (you are not a doctor) Push for answers, be patient Tell the person what to do Leave things up in the air

And what could you do even better? Supporting mental health What currently happens in the workplace to support staff who may have a mental health condition? And what could you do even better?

Create a culture of respect Policies and procedures Have a policy Get buy in from the top Train managers Make employees aware Create a culture of respect

Legalities and liabilities Equality Act 2010: “Discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic.” Disability is one of these protected characteristics which is defined as: “A physical or mental impairment that has substantial and long term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.”

Right to reasonable adjustments Schedule modification Job modification Environment modification Policy changes Providing human assistance Providing technological assistance Special supervisory considerations

Aims and Objectives Revisited The importance of good mental wellbeing Commonly held perceptions about mental health Common signs and symptoms of poor mental health Strategies for early intervention and support