Mental health is unique for everyone and can be a difficult topic to approach. As a leader, it’s important to understand how you can best support your employee’s mental health while also taking care of yourself.
Leading Well is a four-part series, made up of a collection of resources from OTIP’s wellness partners and other mental health experts. The series provides leaders with a better understanding of mental health, getting the conversation started with employees about mental health, and self-care for leaders.
Want to share something you learned? These resources will be available until the end of the year so you can go back to reference your favourite takeaways or share an impactful resource with your colleagues.
Each week, a new module will be released for leaders to work through at their own pace. Make sure at the end of each module you complete the quiz to test your knowledge but also be entered into our giveaway!
Leading Well Modules
Week one: What is mental health?
From October 16 to 20, please review the module resources below to learn more about mental health, mental illness, and how mental health can impact employees. Don’t forget to complete the quiz to be entered into our giveaway!
This module will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
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Module Resource
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Summary
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Link
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Everything you need to know about Anxiety
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Written by Starling Minds, a mental health expert, this article dives into the science behind anxiety and how anxiety can appear or impact those who experience it.
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Read more.
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What is the cause of mental health?
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This video created by FeelingBetterNow®, a mental health expert, discusses the many causes of mental health and how a one-size-fits-all approach does not work when thinking about mental illness.
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Watch here.
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One size doesn’t fit all: Understanding the relationship between mental health and substance use
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Substance use is a difficult conversation to have and even more difficult to understand when someone is struggling. This resource provides information on the relationship between substance use and mental health, and how individuals can get support.
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Read more.
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Common misconceptions about mental health (pre-recorded webinar)
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Starling Minds previously hosted a leaders’ webinar to provide attendees with a better understanding about what mental health is, common misconceptions about mental health, and how leaders can approach the conversation of mental health from a research-driven approach.
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Watch here.
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Week two: Connecting with your employees
From October 23 to 27, please review the module resources below at your own pace to learn more about how leaders can positively approach employees regarding mental health. Don’t forget to complete the quiz to be entered into our giveaway!
This module will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
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Module Resource
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Summary
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Link
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How to talk to an employee or friend about mental health
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Written by Starling Minds, a mental health expert, this article provides readers with simple tips to supporting employees experiencing mental illness.
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Read more.
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Understanding substance use and employee mental health
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Further developing your learnings from last week’s article on the scientific link between substance use and mental health*, ALAViDA previously hosted a leaders’ webinar to take a deeper dive into the topic. In this resource, you will learn about what you can do to support an employee who may be struggling with mental health and substance use.
*Reference: One size doesn’t fit all: Understanding the relationship between mental health and substance use
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Watch here.
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TEDx Talk: Talking about mental health at work – Can I speak to your manager? With Mark Bailey from Procter and Gamble.
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Mark Bailey shares his honest personal story about the impacts of having or not having proper mental health support at work. Using his experience, he also lays out effective ways for leaders to address mental health challenges when brought to their attention.
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Watch here.
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Week three: Self-care for leaders
From October 30 to November 3, please review the module resources below at your own pace to learn more about how you can best support your own mental wellness as a leader. Don’t forget to complete the quiz to be entered into our giveaway!
This module will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.
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Module
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Summary
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Link
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Stress management: 5 proven steps to overcome feelings of stress
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Written by Starling Minds, a mental health expert, this article discusses proven exercises to combat stress and support for mental wellbeing during times of stress.
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Read more.
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Nurture your well-being: Redefine what self-care means to you
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Have you taken the time to consider your self-care needs lately? This resource, created by ALAViDA, walks you through the many different approaches to self-care and the importance of shifting your specific perspective around self-care.
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Read more.
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How to overcome the feeling of self-care being selfish
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Dr. Sagar Parikh, Medical Director of FeelingBetterNow® breaks down the misconception that taking time for yourself as a leader is selfish. As we now know, leaders have to ensure they are supporting their own mental and physical health in order to truly have an impact on others and the environment they create at work.
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Watch here.
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Activity: The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Meter
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CMHA has created a meter to help you better understand the characteristics that make up a good mental health, and where you currently stand with those characteristics, such as resilience the ability to enjoy life, and flexibility.
Disclaimer
This is not a scientific test. Information provided is not a substitute for professional advice. If you feel that you may need advice, please consult a qualified health care professional.
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Click here.
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Week four: Taking action to create a safe space at work
From November 6 to 10, please review the module resources below at your own pace to learn more about how you can create a safe space at work for employee’s mental health and simple tips to being a supportive leader. Don’t forget to complete the quiz to be entered into our giveaway!
This module will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
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| The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership |
Written by Starling Minds, a mental health expert, this resource walks leaders through the importance of being vulnerable with employees and simple ways embrace vulnerability.
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Read more.
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| 3 reasons why you need to invest in creating a healthy organization |
YMCA WorkWell is dedicated to understanding what makes a healthy organization. Through years of research across multiple industries, YMCA WorkWell has put together their key learnings for why leaders should invest in employee mental health and how they can begin to do so.
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Read more. |
3 ways to use active listening at work
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Heather R. Younger is a speaker and CEO of an employee engagement and consulting firm. In this video, Heather shares three tips to use active listening to avoid miscommunication at work and ensure you’re providing positive support for employees when they need it most.
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Click here. |
Mental Health Resources
Looking for services, tools or resources? We’ve put together a list of resources to help connect you with the resources you need.