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[DOWNLOAD RESOURCE]: Key Elements of a good Workplace Mental Health Policy

[DOWNLOAD RESOURCE]: Key Elements of a good Workplace Mental Health Policy

anjali September 1, 2023
0 Comments

Workplace policies help set expectations across the business. They clearly define what psychological hazards are and what you will do to manage them. 

A mental health policy serves as a guiding document outlining the roles and responsibilities of both employees and leaders/directors within your organisation. It is essential that this policy is customised to suit the specific needs and nuances of your workplace. 

At a minimum, a workplace mental health policy should encompass the following key elements: 

1. Purpose and Objectives

Clearly define the purpose and objectives of the policy, outlining its intended impact on the well-being of employees.

2. Scope

Specify who falls under the coverage of this policy, ensuring that all relevant individuals are included.

3. Legal Requirements

Articulate the legal obligations and compliance measures associated with mental health in the workplace. 

4. Psychological Hazards 

Provide a comprehensive description of psychological hazards that may be encountered within the work environment. Set clear expectations and behavioural standards, differentiating between acceptable and unacceptable conduct.

5. Supporting Procedures 

Refer to associated procedures, guidelines, or resources that support and complement the policy.

6. Complaints Management 

Define the procedures for reporting and handling complaints or issues related to workplace mental health, along with the potential consequences for non-compliance.

7. Monitoring and Review 

Establish a structured process for regularly monitoring and reviewing the policy itself, as well as the supporting procedures. This ensures that the policy remains relevant and effective over time.

In addition, consider the following factors when crafting your mental health policy: 

  • Policy Goals: Align the policy’s goals with the broader objectives of your organization, emphasizing how it contributes to the overall mission. 
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Develop strategies for engaging all stakeholders within the workplace, allowing every individual to provide feedback and insights. 
  • Clarity and Accessibility: Ensure that the policy is written in plain, easily understandable language and tailored to resonate with your workforce.
  • Implementation: Outline the steps and measures for implementing the policy, including its integration into the onboarding process for new employees. 
  • Policy Maintenance: Detail the approach to managing, reviewing, and updating the policy, particularly when changes occur in relevant laws or regulations. 

By addressing these components, your workplace can establish a robust mental health policy that promotes a supportive and nurturing environment for all employees while meeting the legal obligations.

Download this tipsheet as a PDF. 

Looking for help to get started with workplace mental health and wellbeing? 

Find out more about our work and get in touch –  www.mentallywellworkplaces.com.au  

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Get in touch

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Tina has over 25 years’ experience working in Mental Health services in Australia and the UK and is an accredited ‘Principal Master’ Mental Health First Aid Instructor & co-creator of Australia’s first ‘Workplace Mental Health Induction’

Tina’s passion includes advocating for the creation of more mental health awareness in workplaces across the country including helping employees identify, cope with and address Mental Health issues at work.

Originally from the UK Tina has 25+ years’ experience working in Mental Health Services, predominantly in Service Improvement across primary, secondary and tertiary services in both inpatient and community settings.

Professionally Tina worked closely with the Department of Health and Department of Psychiatry in the UK, heading up Service Improvement Projects to support the National Service Framework for Mental Health.

 

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Learn about a modern mental health workplace model including:

  • A step by step guide to creating a mentally well workplace
  • Leaders and employees responsibilities
  • Building a foundation for success
  • Implement a mental health plan
  • Training required to develop employee awareness
  • Appropriate skills to identify psychological risks
  • And much more.
Print it out for your workplace or send it to your colleagues, clients or friends in need.

Request your free copy

*Please note this guide is written for employers and employees therefore we require a work email to ensure we know it is being sent to an organisation.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Trish Thomas

Principal Master Mental Health Instructor
Counting on U Trainer

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

After completing my Psychology degree, I went on to do my Masters in Rehabilitation Counselling where I was researching early intervention programs tailored to mental health. I came across the MHFA program and knew straight away that I wanted in! I’m passionate about raising awareness around mental health and breaking down stigma, which is exactly what MHFA sets out to achieve. I’ve seen the difference the program can have on those who have taken part in the training, both in their own personal lives and with assisting others struggling with mental health concerns. It’s invaluable training that certainly broadens your outlook. I have been training both face to face and online now for the past 3 years.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

I think mental health education is important for everyone, yet we know there is a strong association between mental health problems and financial difficulties. This relationship is complex and can go both ways, with mental health problems leading to financial difficulties, and financial difficulties increasing the likelihood of developing mental health problems. Professionals who work within the financial sector are in a prime position to notice early signs of mental health conditions developing in their clients. By being equipped with the skills and knowledge from MHFA training, they can support and guide their clients to receive appropriate help. This is really important as research has shown us the people are more likely to receive help if someone they know suggests it, and early help can result in less impact on a person’s life.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

I think it’s fantastic and long overdue that mental health education be aimed to the workplace, particularly to professionals who have a higher likelihood of interacting with clients and colleagues impacted by life’s challenges, such as financial difficulties. The Counting on U Program offers the additional relationship building training along with the MHFA training, which is aimed at increasing our own self awareness and strengthening communication skills and relationships.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • I like to create a safe and comfortable environment right from the start that encourages participants to engage and discuss topics with ease and confidence.
  • I focus on ensuring the content is understood by everyone, and enhance content with examples that I have experienced in my own work with individuals which strengthens understanding.
  • Be prepared to spend extra time on content that is emotionally heavy, such as suicide. I find this is really important as suicide is one of the most confronting topics to talk about, I like to make sure that participants questions are all answered and they feel as comfortable as possible with the key components of the training

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Laughter, laughter, and more laughter! Along with Exercise and social interactions, oh and my chocolate Labrador! Having a good laugh goes a long way, even at my own expense – which is generally instigated by my adorable children! I call exercise my “medication”- it helps my mood, motivation and my general outlook. And exercise for me means any type of activity that gets me moving. Being out in the great outdoors also helps, especially by a river or at the beach.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

I believe that MHFA is a program that everyone would benefit from, just like learning physical first aid. Mental illness impacts just under 50% of the Australian population in their lifetime, it does not discriminate and tends to present itself in our prime working years, therefore we are all going to be exposed to it in some point of our lives. This in itself shows the importance of learning MHFA and knowing the signs of declining mental health, so we can reach out and encourage help seeking for those in need. Learning MHFA also helps to break down stigma, I look forward to the day where we are talking about mental health with the ease that we talk about physical health!

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.

Tina Winchester

Director and MHFA Trainer Coordinator
Principal Master Mental Health Instructor

Instructor Profile

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Q & A

q icon

What inspired you to become a MHFA Instructor and how long have you been delivering the courses?

Mental Health First Aid has such a great reputation across the world that becoming an Instructor was inevitable for me. Having worked in mental health services for 20 years in the UK, then as a trainer/assessor for the Diploma of Counselling here in Australia, I saw throughout my career the need for good and credible training in understanding mental health and mental illness, and Mental Health First Aid provides that. I have been training MHFA since 2016 and have delivered the course to members of the public and organisations both large and small.

q icon

Why do you think Mental Health First Aid training is so important for financial professionals?

Financial distress contributes significantly to our mental health and financial professionals are working with clients every day who may be struggling. Early intervention is critical to supporting people and possibly preventing a worse outcome, but to do this effectively we need knowledge of signs to look for, how to approach a conversation and where people can access professional help.

q icon

What makes you so passionate about your work as an MHFA Instructor for the Counting on U Program with Mentally Well Workplaces?

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to co-author, facilitate and deliver the Counting on U Program. At Mentally Well Workplaces our focus is on reaching as many people as possible in Australian workplaces to ensure employers and employees have an opportunity to learn about mental health and how to support each other. My passion comes from many years working in mental health services and seeing how essential it is that stigma is eliminated and replaced with empathy and understanding. Mental ill health is not a life sentence, but it is a hard road for some, with this type of training we can contribute to ensuring that people who are struggling are met with kindness, hope, strategies for accessing professional help and are not met with judgement.

q icon

What are 3 things you like to focus on and do exceptionally well when delivering Mental Health First Aid courses?

  • Creating a relaxed environment where participants feel comfortable.
  • Using my experience of working with people with mental illness to make the content real, personable and relatable.
  • Lightening the mood to put people at ease, in a respectful way.

q icon

What are your own self-care practices for staying mentally well?

Self-care is essential for all of us, my top tips are:

Prioritise sleep. Changes to sleep are often the first sign that we are under pressure. I aim to get between 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night – very few people can function well with less than 7 hours.

Ditch the hustle mentality. Working long hours, without breaks will have a negative impact on your mental health. We simply cannot be productive if we don’t take breaks and switch off. The 24/7 grind is not something to be celebrated!

Check your thinking. Most people believe every thought they have and respond to every emotion they feel.

q icon

Why would you recommend finance professionals, small business owners and employees in general become accredited Mental Health First Aiders?

Skills learned in Mental Health First Aid can be life changing and life saving. MHFA teaches participants how to assist people who are developing a mental health problem, experiencing the worsening of an existing mental illness or in a mental health crisis. Assistance is provided until appropriate professional health is received or the crisis resolves. Often people misunderstand the signs or symptoms of a decline in mental health or worry about how to approach a person, undertaking Mental Health First Aid provides an evidence based effective program. MHFA for Financial Services Professionals has been written specifically to teach people how to assist a co-worker, client or any person in financial distress who may need mental health support.