Mental Health Conversations

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This e-learning module has content pertaining to mental health and can contain discussions on self-harm, suicide and similar themes, which some participants may find distressing. If you feel that this may have a negative impact on you, please seek advice from your employer, or a professional before undertaking this module. These e-learning modules are designed to provide information for learning purposes and are not a substitute for professional advice on mental health issues.

Disclaimer

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Mental Health Conversations

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Mental Health Conversations

having the conversation

preparing for a mental health discussion

approaching a conversation

Challenge of mental health Conversations

Topics

They might get emotional

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I might get emotional

I'm not sure what to say or do

They will shut the converation down

They can become confrontational

Bringing up mental health

Talking about their private life

Doesn't concern me

Concerns me

What do you find challenging about having a mental health conversation with a staff member?

Challenges of Mental Health Conversations

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• People & Culture

• HR

• EAP

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The other person gets emotional or upset

We get emotional or upset

Being in a potenitally difficult situation

Not able to get the point across clearly

Not knowing how the other person will respond

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Control

• Fixing Problems

• Addressing Issues

• Management

• Power

• Control

Your role in mental health conversations

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Staff Member

Outcome

Uncertain outcome

Loss of control

Control

Your role in mental health conversations

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• Management

• Fixing

• Outcomes

• Solutions

• Support

• Understand

• Learn

• Listen

Click on each image to learn more

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Unexpected Conversations

Mindfulness

Time

Setting

Preparing for a conversation

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• So, start planning for these conversations in your next set of 1:1s

• Being able to deal w/ unexpected conversations

• Experience w/ conversations increases confidence and expertise

• Practising your approach for mental health conversations

Preparing for a conversation

Click the above option

1. So, how is everything going?

Approach

Preparation

Having the Conversation

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Everything is fine…

Actually, I am going through something very difficult right now…

Yeah, not that great at the moment… I’m feeling a lot of stress and pressure…

• Staff guided conversation

• Casual and indirect

How is everything going for you?

Having the Conversation

Click the above option

• So, are there any issues or concerns you want to talk to me about?

• So, how is everything going?

Having the Conversation

No, I’m all good… no problems here…

I know I have been feeling more stressed lately and I’ve taken that out on others…

I have been having some issues at home over the past few weeks…

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Everything is fine…

• Prompts exploration of current problems at work or at home

• Directed at exploring issues and concerns

Are there any issues, or concerns you want to talk about?

Having the Conversation

• I’ve noticed <early warning signs>… do you want to talk about it?

Click the above option

• So, are there any issues or concerns you want to talk to me about?

• So, how is everything going?

Having the Conversation

What? That was nothing! I have no idea what you’re talking about!

Oh no, I was just having an off day… there are no issues there at all…

Yes, I know… I’ve been feeling so stressed lately…

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• Calls out the presence of mental health concerns

• Direct and targeted exploration of early warning

I’ve noticed <early warning signs>… do you want to talk about it?

Having the Conversation

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• I’ve noticed <early warning signs>… do you want to talk about it?

Completed

• So, are there any issues or concerns you want to talk to me about?

• So, how is everything going?

Having the Conversation

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• Potential for confrontation

• Elicits a defensive response from the staff member

• Asking the staff member to explain themselves

So, I’ve noticed that you’ve become more frustrated at work with others and that you are snapping at people around you. This behaviour is inappropriate. Can you tell me why you are acting this way?

Approach

Stance

I’ve noticed <early warning signs>… do you want to talk about it?

Support

Listen & Learn

Power

Control

Approach

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• Ready to listen and to support the staff member

• Focus on mental health and early warning signs

• Does not require an explanation of the actions

I’ve noticed that you look more frustrated at work and you’ve snapped at your colleagues on a few occasions. This isn’t like you, so I thought I’d see if you wanted to talk about it? Is there anything I can do to help or support you here at work?

I’ve noticed <early warning signs>… do you want to talk about it?

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Active and Reflective Listening

Body of the Conversation

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We should always engage in active listening and reflect on what we are hearing. This can include saying things like: “So, what I am hearing you say is…” and then repeating a point they made. Feel free to ask exploratory or follow up questions when appropriate, and always be comfortable with silence – even if it feels a bit awkward. Be conscious of your body language, as we are trying to make sure the other person is comfortable in continuing the conversation.

Active and Reflective Listening

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Reassurance and Normalisation

Active and Reflective Listening

Body of the Conversation

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At times the staff member might suggest that what they are going through is ‘weird’, ‘silly’ or ‘crazy’. You should try to normalise the way someone is feeling, by saying: “No, I actually understand why you feel that way…”, or: “that sounds like perfectly normal response to what you are going through…”. These comments will allow the other person to feel a sense of reassurance and normalisation of what they are experiencing.

Reassurance and Normalisation

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Reassurance and Normalisation

Active and Reflective Listening

Empathy

Body of the Conversation

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One of the key elements of engaging with the other person in a mental health conversation, is doing so from an empathetic standpoint. This means actively trying to put yourself in their shoes and understanding how and why a person can feel that way. This shouldn’t be difficult when it comes to mental health. While you may not share the exact circumstances with the other person, all of us would have had numerous life events that resulted in feelings of stress, depression or anxiety. We can rely on these to develop an understanding and a connection with what the other person is going through and feeling.

Empathy

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Offering Solutions

Providing Advice

Concluding the Conversation

Click on the speech boxes for further advice

Concluding the Conversation

I was in a similar situation, and what I did was…

What are your thoughts on the way forward?

Is there anything I (or the workplace) can do to support you?

Have you thought about talking to someone else about this?

OK, what you should do is…

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• Role play and de-brief

• Discuss upcoming conversations

• Use the supports around you

You aren't alone

• Always plan your next conversation

• Follow-up actions

• It may take more than one conversation

It’s a process...

Conversations in Perspective

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"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship" [Louisa May Aloctt, 1868]

Conversations in Perspective

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Remember to complete the quiz question on the next slide

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Thank You For Completing This Module