How does Mental Health First Aid work in the workplace? An example from a Mental Health First Aider.
Kath was a manager and supervisor of staff at a community health service. She passed this story on to me with her permission to share. All names have been changed for privacy purposes.
Kath had done the standard MHFA course and while supervising a staff member regularly, began to suspect that they had an anxiety disorder. The signs for her were, this person was the most experienced professional in their team but they rarely contributed in team discussions. When volunteers were needed for presenting at conferences or team building this staff member never volunteered. They were an excellent practitioner but often needed confidence boosting conversations and last year when asked to fill in a management role temporarily the staff member had become unwell and was off work for two weeks.
Kath told me that she planned her approach carefully. She had her 'I' statement prepared and had chosen not to broach the subject in an official supervision but rather asked the staff member out for a coffee. When Kath made her 'I' statement the staff member was silent for a long time and then gave Kath the information that she felt worried all the time and found just getting through her professional appointments was enough for her. She told Kath that her GP had given her the time off last year because she had become panicked. Kath asked what other support her GP had given and was told nothing.
Kath was able to listen to the staff member and hear their worry, she was able to lead the staff member to consider that they may have anxiety. Kath talked to the staff member about anxiety being a real illness and that professional help was available. Kath also told the staff member that she hoped that they would be able to use their experience in helping other staff members and maybe consider some higher duties in the future. The staff member could see what they were missing by not getting appropriate professional assistance for their worries.
The outcome of this was that Kath and the staff member agreed to have supervision on a more regular basis and practice 'sharing' so that the staff member could try sharing in the team meetings. The staff member said that they would talk to their GP and if they didn't get support from them they would try someone else. Kath used the MHFA Guideline - Providing MHFA to a co-worker to continue her support.
This staff member went on to be a respected member of their team who was often sought by others for advice. They were able to learn the skill of talking in meetings and at this time are being considered for a higher duty position.
