For managers who want to support staff who are struggling but don’t know how, a mental health training program fills the gap between good intentions and practical application, providing managers with specific skills to support staff.
Opening a Conversation Without Pressure
Untrained managers tend to open conversations with ‘Are you okay?’ (to which the reply is almost always ‘Fine’). These programs teach softer openers such as “I’ve noticed you seem a bit flat lately – do you want a chat?” which give the person being asked to open up should they so wish.
Telling Distress Apart From Ordinary Stress
Short-term stress is usually caused by a current issue such as a tight deadline and will usually resolve itself once the issue has been dealt with. On the other hand, distress caused by work can be ongoing and have physical symptoms, affect relationships with other staff members and affect concentration. A trained manager will be able to recognise the difference between the two states and respond accordingly.
Keeping the Conversation Open
A common mistake when managing a welfare conversation is to close the conversation down too quickly. This can happen by trying to solve the employees problem, by dismissing their concerns or by reassuring them too quickly. The manager needs to reflect back what the employee has said to show that they have been listened to and understood.
Knowing When to Refer On
Most mental health training programs will give guidance on when to refer an employee to HR, to Occupational Health, or to an Employee Assistance Program and how to hand over the employee in a supportive manner.
Documenting a Concern Properly
A written note left with an employee after a conversation (often referred to as a welfare note) is becoming an expected action of managers to safeguard themselves as well as employees. A good mental health training program will also provide information on what to write, how to store the notes and how to keep them confidential. It’s also worth noting that employers have a responsibility to manage work in a way that is reasonable (as defined in HSE work-related stress guidance). If you want Mental Health Training Courses Blackpool, //www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/blackpool/ is a good place to start.
Small changes in the behaviour of managers towards staff who are struggling can have a very positive impact on them and help them feel more able to speak up about how they are feeling.
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