A Wider View on Mental Health First Aid

Just received the Cert in Mental First Aid as well as what is taught in the course (what to look out for in relation to a person mental health, how to approach a person who may need assistance and what assistant to give (the course focus is to have a person to see GP) it's OF MASSIVE IMPORTANCE to know how to create and maintain a mentally healthy workplace. Many steps are available before clinical depression, anxiety and other mental health matters escalate from 'normal up and downs' to a more major situation. How we are in the work place can assist. In relation to work-related mental health....

When people know:

i) what is expected from them and agree it is doable,

ii) have input to how it is achieved and

iii) are acknowledged for works done this is a good start.

Add to this a transparent system for:

i) picking up when outcomes, behaviours are not in alignment with that agreed

ii) putting steps in place to assist people staying in agreement and ethics can assist greatly.

iii) knowing there are up and down times and it's not a 'failure' to need to re-do something. It will be a re-start not an end.

Consequences to actions are a universal principle so no point sugar-coating it. In a work place however

Much work related 'stress' the 'feel-bad' and 'withdrawn' times are linked to when people 'feel-bad' that they have not delivered on what they have agreed on or what is expected of them. Late deadlines, poor quality etc.

Assisting a person rehabilitate their sense of worthiness through provision of tasks that are achievable and acknowledge is part of a healthy place, combine this with community interactions, walking, away from screen-time, healthy food options - then your part way

?Walking and looking OUT is excellent as part of a mental health strategy. This is particularly so for people with long hours on screens!