Talking to Your Employees About Stress at Work

🚀 Talking to Your Employees About Stress at Work: Simple Strategies for Making Conversations about Mental Health Easier

🧐 You've Noticed the Strain: Now What?

What if my colleague tells me they’re overwhelmed all the time — what am I supposed to do? What if my direct report’s stress is stressing ME out? What do I do if my teammate is having a hard time at home — but I don’t want to pry into their personal life? At least some of my colleagues are remote. How am I supposed to know how they’re really feeling? The pandemic is on its way out. Shouldn’t people be over it already?

If you've found yourself asking these questions, this course is tailor-made for you. In a world where stress, burnout, and anxiety are at an all-time high, knowing how to help your colleagues without making them — or yourself — uncomfortable is crucial. 🤝

The Importance of the Conversation

A recent study of more than 2,000 global employees found that a staggering 38% said their company had not even asked them if they were doing okay. That's not just a statistic; it's a call to action for all of us in the workplace.

Creating an Inclusive Environment for Mental Wellbeing

Each of us has a responsibility to foster an open, inclusive, and safe environment at work — one where colleagues feel comfortable bringing their whole selves, including their mental wellbeing. Research consistently shows that when employees feel they can share openly at work, it leads to better performance, engagement, employee retention, and overall well-being.

The Art of the Conversation: Strategies for Initiating and Handling Mental Health Talks

Talking about mental health in a professional setting might seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be both meaningful and manageable. In this course, you'll learn practical strategies to initiate these conversations, handle them effectively, and support your colleagues without feeling overwhelmed yourself. 🗣️

Your Instructor: Deborah Grayson Riegel

Deborah is not a licensed mental health professional, but she brings a wealth of knowledge to this course. Her expertise is rooted in psychology and social work, her extensive experience as an executive coach at Fortune 100 companies, her research for the book "Overcoming Overthinking," and her personal journey living with mental illness.

Course Highlights:

• The Why: Understanding the current stress landscape and why these conversations are more important than ever.
• The Talk: Embracing the necessity of discussing work-related stress openly.
• Recognizing Stress: Identifying what stress looks like in various forms.
• Stepping In: Learning how to intervene without overstepping.
• Fears and Bias: Addressing why colleagues might be hesitant to share and how bias can affect our understanding of their stress.
• Empathy: Mastering the art of showing genuine empathy without becoming emotionally drained.
• Listening Skills: Techniques for effective listening when sensitive topics are discussed.
• Asking Questions: Crafting questions that encourage sharing without feeling pressured or pried upon.
• Support Strategies: A "Help Menu" of over 20 ways to offer support to your colleagues.
• Self-Care: Practical tips and tools for managing personal stress and burnout.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is designed for you, no matter where you stand on the spectrum of mental health at work. Whether you believe mental health discussions are too personal for a professional setting or are eager to start these dialogues, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to handle such conversations confidently and compassionately.

Join Deborah Grayson Riegel in this comprehensive course that will not only empower you to initiate important mental health conversations but also provide you with the skills to manage these discussions effectively, fostering a healthy, supportive work environment for everyone involved. 🌱

Let's break the stigma and support each other through the challenges of modern work life. Enroll now and become a champion for mental wellbeing in your workplace.