1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem this year.
Mental health issues are on the rise, and some populations are way more at risk. Campaigns like Bell Let's Talk have increased awareness of mental and emotional wellbeing. Yet, knowing what to look for and what to do if you or someone you know is struggling can be hard and scary.
Signs and symptoms may not be obvious and can mask themselves, especially in early stages. And it's normal to ask ourselves:
- What if I make it worse?
- Is this actually just "normal" (developmental stuff/adult stress/overwhelm)?
- Should I alert a someone (teacher/employer/mental health professional)?
- Am I overstepping?
- Am I missing something that could put someone at risk?
- What exactly are my responsibilities and obligations?
Also, seeking professional help can be overwhelming - and waitlists are long. You may wonder what to do when you know someone is needing support but can't (or won't) seek it.
This talk provides a complete overview of the current climate of mental health in Canada. It covers who is struggling, and why. Audiences will learn current mental health best practices. And they'll leave knowing what to look out for, and how to best support within their limits of responsibility.
It is not a replacement for professional care, but rather a step-by-step guide towards providing and seeking the most appropriate support. This talk blends insight and practical tools and strategies you can use right away.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the risk factors for a mental health concern or crisis specific to your population
- Learn to spot the red/yellow flags of an emerging crisis
- Learn the specific step by step process to best support any individual who is experiencing concerns starting at initial assessment all the way through to aftercare
- Understand your limits: Know when to step in, when to step back, when to delegate and refer
- Understand the barriers to seeking and receiving support, including a discussion of the role of stigma and how you can reduce stigma
- Protect yourself: Learn how to appropriately care for yourself while, and after, you are caring for someone
Take-Away Strategies & Tools:
- Learn specific scripts for respectfully approaching someone you've identified as possibly needing support
- Learn strategies to engage in a critical conversation about their wellbeing that feels natural, respectful, and that empowers them to take control
- Learn the "ABCD" protocol that will enable you to handle any mental health concern regardless of severity while maintaining your appropriate boundaries and responsibilities
- Practice the specific techniques of active empathetic listening and emotional regulation
- Know how to effectively handle common "road blocks" and "what ifs" that arise when supporting someone's wellbeing
- Learn the true meaning of self-care and the do's and don'ts of practicing self-care using current empirical and clinical evidence
Additional Information:
- This talk has been developed for adult audiences
- Standard length is 60-75 minutes, but this can be extended into a workshop with skill-building activities, breakout groups, and case studies
- This session is available for virtual or for in-person delivery
- Client will be responsible for speaker travel costs, plus a per diem over and above the speaker fee
- Need additional tailoring of content, or a fully customized session? We're here for you. Book a free needs assessment today so we can uncover exactly what you need and how we can help
Want this talk for your group or conference, and ...
Want to save the speaker fee?
Ask us about including Mental Health First Aid as a pre- and/or post- to your event
get started by scheduling a free needs assessment today