CMHA - Eastern Branch: Mental Health Works

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Mental Health Promotion

Workplace Mental Health Promotion

Mental Health Works

As an employer, you are on the front-line of being able to have a significant impact in reducing the escalation of mental health issues within the workplace.

When an employee is having difficulties, how does your organization respond?

Progressive organizations reflect the attitudes of their leadership, managers and employees.

Inability to resolve internal issues in a positive manner can be costly and poisonous both for the organization and the individuals involved. Responses by employers can represent a key indicator as to the progressiveness of an organization and their behaviour....indicators such as values and attitudes, vision and culture, potential of a toxic workplace environment and corporate social responsibility.

Don’t struggle with those who are struggling....

At an alarming rate, too many organizations struggle with those who are struggling – issues escalate and can often spiral out of control with troubling human and social consequences.

It should never have become "you" against "them". It is an issue we share together.

· Mental illness will strike one in every five Canadians at some point in their lives.

· Depression and anxiety represent up to 90 per cent of such illnesses and cause up to 35 million lost workdays a year in Canada.

· Mental illness costs Canadian employers $51-billion a year (chiefly in lost productivity) and is the leading disability claim for insurers

Through changing attitudes and instilling a more conciliatory approach, these issues do not need to needlessly spiral out of control.

We believe we can help you.

The Canadian Mental Health Association has created an award-winning workshop

....."Complex Issues. Clear Solutions"......

A valuable one-day workshop enabling management to more effectively:

· Discuss sensitive or contentious issues with employees

· Resolve conflicts more effectively

· Separate performance issues from mental health issues

· Create accommodation strategies that work

· Avoid discrimination and human rights violations

At your site or ours, your managers will learn and apply effective techniques through open group discussions and exercises. Video clips illustrate the challenges faced by managers and provide common discussion points. Through the video participants hear from real employees who have experienced mental illness in the workplace.

The Mental Health Works Participant’s Guide will be given to managers as a complement to the course. This invaluable reference tool will allow managers to identify challenges, clarify procedures and develop accommodations that work.

"Managers tell us they’re uncomfortable talking to an employee who appears stressed out or may be dealing with a mental illness. Our solution is a four step approach aimed at improving communication in the workplace...to bring employees back to the point where they can once again maximize their potential at work."

· Only trainers certified by CMHA, Ontario deliver this workshop

· Certified trainers are located in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and the Maritimes to deliver Mental Health Works workshops.

· Training can also be arranged at our site or yours for organizations with fewer than 12 participants.

· Cost: $250 per participant (including materials and resources, but not including expenses), for a minimum of 12 participants and a maximum of 16 participants for each workshop

· If you prefer, you can choose a series of 3 3-hour sessions at a cost of $350 per participant (plus expenses) for all three workshops with a minimum of 12 participants. This will provide you with all of the materials covered under the full-day workshop. We recommend that all three sessions be scheduled within one month of each other to ensure continuity of learning

CUSTOM TRAINING

Mental Health Works offers custom workshops, such as sessions on:

· Developing accommodation strategies for your unique environment

· Return-to-work strategies for your workplace

· Communication skills for managers that involve actors trained to simulate distressed employees

· Sessions developed exclusively to address case studies relevant to your work situation.

Through Mental Health Works, the CMHA delivers a wide range of presentations and workshops which are very well suited towards your next training session, conference, retreat, staff meetings, lunch and learn or power breakfasts. Each presentation can be customized for your situation and guest speakers who live and work with mental health issues can often be added to expand the experience for your audience.

A complete list of presentations offered by certified CMHA trainers can be found on the Mental Health Works website at www.mentalhealthworks.ca or by contacting Joanne Ledoux-Moshonas at 613-933-5845, ext. 223.