Written by: Connie Bleile, Good Shepherd Health Center
Have you ever been worried about someone in the workplace, because it appears they are struggling with something, yet you are not sure how to approach them or even if you should? If the struggle is related to someone’s mental health, this may present an even bigger dilemma of asking oneself, “Which way to do I lean?” I say, “Lean in.” Silence and stigma lead to isolation. Listening and compassion lead to connection.
The “Make it OK” Mental Health Ambassador Workshop will help sort through this scenario and many more. Join Tom Heiar and I for a one-hour training at 10:30AM on Thursday, May 14 at the Commerce Center for a fast-paced and engaging workshop, followed by lunch and the community Make It OK Walk. Learn how to identify and support people facing mental health challenges specific to the workplace. We will talk about facts, watch short clips which model ways to start conversations, and learn how to surpass hesitations with sensitivity and confidence. Participants will also learn how to recognize signs of struggle and how to respond with empathy.
“Make it OK” is a community campaign aimed at reducing stigma. While the content will focus on guidance for helping others in the workplace, the same concepts can be applied in everyday interactions – at work, at home, and in your community.
We all know someone who is experiencing or has experienced significant mental health challenges. One in five adults experience mental illness. Learning together on how to best support someone with mental health challenges is a powerful life skill. Lean in. Take the step.
Make it OK.