Mental Health Conversations

Disclaimer

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.

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Mental Health Conversations

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Mental Health Conversations

Topics

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Challenge of mental health Conversations

approaching a conversation

preparing for a mental health discussion

having the conversation

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

Bringing up mental health

Doesn't concern me

Concerns me

Talking about their private life

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They might get emotional

I might get emotional

They can become confrontational

They will shut the converation down

I'm not sure what to say or do

Challenges of Mental Health Conversations

• EAP

• HR

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• People & Culture

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Not able to get the point across clearly

Being in a potenitally difficult situation

We get emotional or upset

The other person gets emotional or upset

Not knowing how the other person will respond

Your role in mental health conversations

• Control

• Power

Control

• Management

• Addressing Issues

• Fixing Problems

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Your role in mental health conversations

Control

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Staff Member

Outcome

Loss of control

Uncertain outcome

• Listen

• Learn

• Understand

• Support

• Solutions

• Outcomes

• Fixing

• Management

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Preparing for a conversation

Click on each image to learn more

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Unexpected Conversations

Setting

Time

Mindfulness

Preparing for a conversation

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• Practising your approach for mental health conversations

• Experience w/ conversations increases confidence and expertise

• Being able to deal w/ unexpected conversations

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

Having the Conversation

Preparation

1. So, how is everything going?

Approach

Click the above option

Having the Conversation

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

• Casual and indirect

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

How is everything going for you?

• Staff guided conversation

Everything is fine…

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Having the Conversation

• So, how is everything going?

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

Click the above option

Everything is fine…

Having the Conversation

• Directed at exploring issues and concerns

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…

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

No, I’m all good… no problems here…

• Prompts exploration of current problems at work or at home

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Having the Conversation

• So, how is everything going?

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

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

Click the above option

Having the Conversation

• Direct and targeted exploration of early warning

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…

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

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

• Calls out the presence of mental health concerns

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Having the Conversation

• So, how is everything going?

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

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

Completed

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

Stance

Approach

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?

• Asking the staff member to explain themselves

• Elicits a defensive response from the staff member

• Potential for confrontation

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

Approach

Listen & Learn

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?

Control

Power

Support

• Does not require an explanation of the actions

• Focus on mental health and early warning signs

• Ready to listen and to support the staff member

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Body of the Conversation

Active and Reflective Listening

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Active and Reflective Listening

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.

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Body of the Conversation

Active and Reflective Listening

Reassurance and Normalisation

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Reassurance and Normalisation

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.

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Body of the Conversation

Active and Reflective Listening

Empathy

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Reassurance and Normalisation

Empathy

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.

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Concluding the Conversation

Providing Advice

Offering Solutions

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Concluding the Conversation

OK, what you should do is…

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

Have you thought about talking to someone else about this?

What are your thoughts on the way forward?

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

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Click on the speech boxes for further advice

Conversations in Perspective

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It’s a process...

• It may take more than one conversation

• Follow-up actions

• Always plan your next conversation

You aren't alone

• Use the supports around you

• Discuss upcoming conversations

• Role play and de-brief

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]

Thank You For Completing This Module

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Remember to complete the quiz question on the next slide