This is a 50 minute facilitated session with 10 minutes for self-reflection.

Almost half (45%) of adult Australians will experience a mental health condition at some stage in their life, which means that every individual is likely to be impacted or know at least one person in their life with a mental health condition. For many, approaching and having the conversation about mental health, can be a daunting experience. Still to this day, there is an unfortunate negative stigma surrounding the topic of mental health and mental health conditions, which places a barrier for many people speaking up in the workplace.

This session focuses on how individuals can support each other in creating a mentally healthy place to work, including practical strategies and guidance on how to have a safe and effective conversation with someone at work who may not be OK. This session will provide attendees the confidence to support their colleagues and be able to ask R U OK to each other in a safe environment.

Learning Outcomes

• Have an increased awareness of what mental health is
• Be aware of some common mental health conditions and how they might appear in others
• Understand the importance of a mentally healthy team culture on self and others
• Be able to have a safe and effective R U OK conversation
• Know where to seek further information and support

Content

• Recap to mental health continuum, thriving and mental health conditions
• Understand the occurrence of R U OK conversations - proactive vs. reactive
• Responding to a mental health support request - types of support
• Overview of the CARE plus model (or alternative)
• Change in behaviour
  
• Ask for support
  
• Refer to support
  
• Encourage action
  
• + Follow up
  
• Learn what to avoid in a conversation and encouragement of inclusive language
• Know what to do when a colleague or peer is in a crisis
• Know where to seek further information and support