Mental Health [Psychosocial] Safety – The Competency Skills for Managers 4. Preventing Employee Burnout

Toxic skill level – The employee’s experience: "I reached out to my manager for support when work-related stress triggered my panic attacks. Instead of understanding, they accused me of being unreliable and suggested I find a different job if I couldn't handle the pressure." Low skill level – “It's not my responsibility to identify signs of excessive stress or workload. Employees should speak up if they feel overwhelmed.” High skill level – “I proactively monitor employee workloads and regularly check in with them to gauge their stress levels. I encourage open communication and create a safe space for employees to express their concerns. When I notice signs of burnout, I collaborate with the employee to identify potential causes, adjust their workload, and provide resources for stress management. Additionally, I promote a culture of work-life balance and emphasize the importance of self-care.” I invite you to assess yourself in The Ten Manager Competencies for Psychosocial Safety

Speaking and Workshop Topics

1. Taming the Stress and Burnout Monster – one-hour keynote Finding your ‘C’ Space to Have a Happier Life Many people do not function anywhere near their optimal capacity because of their inability to handle their stress and fear monster. In other words, their inability to have composure and regulate their reaction to stress, change, uncertainty and when things don’t go the way they want or expect them to. This wastes so much energy and leads to substantial amounts of conflict from managers and team members. Learn More 2. SAFE Conversations @ Work – three-hour workshop The "SAFE Mental Health and Wellbeing Conversation Skills" workshop is a three-hour in-person or virtual interactive session led by Bill Carson, a certified master mental health first aid instructor and resilience coach. The workshop aims to equip managers and leaders with the skills to engage in compassionate and person-centered conversations with team members who may be experiencing mental and emotional challenges or difficulties. The training focuses on separating personal issues from performance issues, understanding the continuum of mental health and illness/injury, recognizing signs of struggle, building trust and empathy, asking appropriate questions, active listening, empowering individuals to seek assistance, and managing one's own self-care. The workshop provides customized activities, skills practice, and additional resources for managers to cultivate an authentic and caring workplace culture. Learn More