WORRIED ABOUT A CO-WORKER, FAMILY MEMBER OR CLOSE FRIEND?

Opening up and asking for help can be difficult for people. If you think someone you know is struggling with their mental health, getting the support from a co-worker, family or a friend could be all the difference to them seeking help and for their recovery.

Mental Health Movement have created this simple to follow support scaffold you can follow when supporting someone.
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‍step 1: assess the situation, approach and assist the individual‍

• Identify if you are the best person to be supporting this individual
• Make sure you yourself are in the best place mentally to be supporting this individual
• Find a safe and confidential environment
• Make sure you approach them at a moment when you can give them the time they may need to be supported
• Be empathetic and non-judgemental, your body language is also important

‍step 2: Start the conversation

• Try and get the individual talking
• Ask open ended questions and build rapport by finding common ground
• Acknowledge any changes you have seen in them. Let them know why you are starting this conversation
• Remember a conversation is more than just “R U OK?”

‍step 3: Listen

• It is important you listen and communicate without judgement
• Don’t tell them what to do or compare your struggles, this is about them
• Don’t dismiss their struggles, acknowledge what they are telling you
• Actively listen, don’t do all the talking

‍step 4: give consistent support

• Be sensitive, positive and encouraging, don’t open up the conversation to tick a box

‍step 5: Encourage and link individual to appropriate supports

• Provide them with options for services and supports, these can be found here

‍step 6: follow up

• Make sure you check back in with the individual to see how they are coping. Remember your role is not to provide answers, solutions or a diagnosis. Your role is to provide care and support and help link them to further services

LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF

Don’t forget that part of caring for someone else is to also care for yourself. Taking the time to care for yourself will help prevent you personally becoming physically rundown. It will also allow you to deal with and process the thoughts, emotions and stress that can be associated with caring for someone who may be mentally unwell.

"The Mental Health Movement delivered a mental health initiative to our NSW and ACT businesses. Delivering a combination of mental health awareness and education to all our managers, supervisors and frontline leaders. They delivered 22 presentations to over 400 employees. The feedback was unbelievable and the positive impact within the workplace has been great. We highly recommend the Mental Health Movement if you are looking for improved mental health outcomes within your workplace."

Greg Price

Executive General Manager NSW, Boral

"Dan and the Mental Health Movement are doing great things in the mental health space. Dan has presented to our corporate staff and his education and story has had a real positive impact on our staff and management. Dan is now St George Bank's Mental Health and Wellbeing Ambassador and we look forward to continuing to work with him and the Mental Health Movement."

Ross Miller

General Manager Retail Banking, St George Bank

"Mental Health Movement have made a really big impact within our workforce. They have really connected with us and have assisted us in creating a mentally healthy, supportive workplace. Dan is an inspiration to all of us with not only telling his real-life story of having a mental illness but leading the way in helping and educating so many others. As a company we would highly recommend others to connect with Dan and the Mental Health Movement team to understand and manage mental health in their workplace."

Barry Riley

Health Safety & Training Superintendent, Centennial Coal

"We engaged the Mental Health Movement to deliver stages 1 & 2 of their Mental Health Workplace Blueprint to our entire workforce covering more than 2000 employees. The work was of very high quality and the professionalism was second to none. MHM also work in collaboration with our company employment assistance program linking many employees to further support. This collaboration was a key driver in the huge success of the initiative. We would highly recommend Dan and the MHM to any workforce. It was a pleasure to work with them and be a part of the change."

Keili Adams

Human Resource Manager, Gemco, Temco & Cannington, South 32

"The wonderful team at MHM have been providing Mental Health Education and Training for the past 3 years within our Australian Business. Their relatable and “real life” approach seems to really connect with many of our employees, and in my dealings with them I have really valued the personal and caring approach they have taken to meet the needs of the teams and individuals they have worked with. Their care for supporting us to reach our aspirations to create awareness and build capability in this space is genuine and much appreciated. Every interaction has been a pleasure and a positive experience."

Stephanie O'Dwyer

Health, Wellbeing & Innovation Manager, BlueScope Wollongong

"The feedback received from staff has been overwhelmingly positive with many resonating with the personal stories and journeys shared by the Facilitators. All of our Facilitators, Brett, Alisha, Ashton, Chris and Dan, are down to earth, genuine and relatable guys with a natural ability to connect with our diverse workforce. This was evident by the amount of staff sharing personal experiences in the sessions and some staff staying back to talk about their struggles and seek further support from the Facilitators. The workplace audit will play a key role in informing our future mental health strategy, education and training at Council and we are proud to partner with MHM over the next few years as we continue to develop and strengthen our workplace to be aware, take action, break down the stigma and support a mentally fit workforce."

Sharni Watts

Manager of People & Culture, Georges River Council

"After the first session every single employee personally thanked the business owners for organising the event and said how much they appreciated it. I think it gave us a better understanding of some of our difficulties in life, that everyone has struggles which reminded us to be good to each other. I believe it brought us closer as a group and reinforced that we all support each other. I think the whole MHM crew are amazing people doing a great job for our community and the different workforces they encounter. They genuinely care, want to help and make a difference."

Ben Cohen

Director & Licensee, Ray White Shellharbour