Workplace Mental Health Webinar Series

Everyone has a role to play in supporting the mental health of colleagues, volunteers, as well as themselves. Participants in this 3-part webinar series will learn strategies for both workplace and personal mental wellness. 

By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness. The earlier a problem is detected and treated, the better the outcome. This Mental Health 101 Webinar Series will help you to:

• Reduce mental health stigma amongst staff and volunteers
• Better recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems
• Increase your knowledge about appropriate treatments
• Increase staff confidence in helping others 

We will provide you with many excellent resources and share tips for supporting the well-being of your staff and volunteers. There will be time during each webinar to ask the presenting Mental Health Expert questions about mental health issues affecting your organization.

Who: All Staff, including Management Team Staff, including Executive Directors/CEOs, Directors & Managers (HR, Communications, and Volunteer Coordinators), as well as staff that have contact with the public and volunteers.

When: Every Monday, for 3 weeks, from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm 

Where: Online webinar via your computer. These webinars are live and no recordings are available.

The series was very good and gave some really good information at a level that most folks readily understood. I particularly liked that she stressed that we cannot diagnose – we are there to support. So important! -United Church of Canada

Great suggestions on ways we can support co-workers! – Ministry of the Attorney General

Webinar Outcomes:

• Gain an understanding of various mental health issues
• Increase mental health awareness to help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness
• Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress
• Learn strategies to help employees, colleagues and volunteers feel more comfortable having conversations related to mental health
• Learn how to provide compassionate support and understanding
• Get simple but effective tools and strategies to manage personal and co-worker stress 
• Ask questions about your organization’s specific challenges

Maximizing the Value of these Webinars

Registration entitles you to one Internet connection and an unlimited number of participants from your organization in one listening room.

Invite others to participate. Structure a group “lunch and learn” session and invite staff to attend.

Debrief the lessons learned. Set aside time at the end of the webinar to discuss takeaways, and how they apply to your group or organization.

“Being online is a great way to learn that is flexible for our team.”

Tap into your training budget. Ask your HR group or manager to underwrite the webinar as part of your organization’s ongoing staff development effort.

Cost: $250

Fees are per viewing room/desk, not per person – so invite all your staff to participate!

Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail and instructions for accessing each session will be sent the week prior to commencement.

Liked that you gave suggestions and not just theory. Gave real life examples. – YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka

Webinar Outline:

Mental Health 101 – January 8, 2018 (1-2pm)

Improve mental health awareness and psychological health and safety of your organization. Mental Health 101 provides employees with an understanding various mental health issues, builds mental health awareness and helps reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Participants will learn strategies for maintaining their mental wellness and for providing compassionate support and understanding to colleagues, friends and family.

Stress Essentials – January 15, 2018 (1-2pm)

Stress can have a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of employees, as well as a negative impact on productivity. Learn to recognize signs and symptoms of stress as well as simple but effective tools and strategies to manage the stress of employees, colleagues, and yourself.

How to Help & Ask for Help: Resources & Strategies for Supporting Individuals In Need – January 22, 2018 (1-2pm)

Asking for help is the first step for many in improving their mental health. Learn strategies to help employees and colleagues feel more comfortable having conversations related to mental health; provide emotional support and practical help to co-workers or loved ones; and know where to find resources and programs in your area.

Key benefits of a mentally healthy workplace:

Operational Success: Mentally healthy workplaces demonstrate higher levels of employee and volunteer motivation, commitment and creativity, as well as better decision making.

Productivity: Happy and psychologically healthy employees and volunteers work harder and more efficiently.

Cost Savings: There is a strong link between mental health, physical well-being and injury prevention, disability and absenteeism.

Improved Relations: Better mental health among employees and volunteers results in fewer conflicts and complaints.

We have been thoroughly enjoying the Mental Health webinars that you have been hosting and have come away with lots of great tidbits. – Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

 The Facts: 

• By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness
• In a recent major Canadian study, 82% of responding organizations ranked mental health conditions in their top three causes of short term disability (72% for long-term)
• 30% of all short and long term disability claims are due to mental health problems and illnesses
• The cost of a disability leave for a mental illness is about double the cost of a leave due to a physical illness.
• 64% of Ontario workers would be concerned about how work would be affected if a colleague had a mental illness
• 39% of Ontario workers indicate that they would not tell their managers if they were experiencing a mental health problem
• 40% of respondents to a 2016 survey agreed they have experienced feelings of anxiety or depression but never sought medical help for it
• Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women from adolescence to middle age
• 42% of Canadians were unsure whether they would socialize with a friend who has a mental illness
• Almost one half (49%) of those who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety have never gone to see a doctor about this problem