MHFA Guide for Managers

Have you ever encountered a colleague or an employee experiencing a mental health problem or crisis? What did you do? Did you feel uncomfortable or ill-prepared?

The MHFA Guide for Managers is a useful tool that provides tips, considerations and insights to help managers provide mental health first aid to their employees.

The MHFA Guide for Managers includes:

• Potential Behaviours
• Physical/Physiological Indicators
• Consideration of Context
• Crisis Situations & How to Help
• Deciding Who Should Approach

Quick Tips for what to do/not do during a discussion with an employee about mental health:

Do: 

• Emphasize your concern for the person’s well-being
• Talk about employee’s strengths
• After raising concerns, ask if they would like to continue in the presence of a support person

Don’t: 

• Make the person talk about their mental health issue before they are ready
• Rush the conversation
• Try to act like a counsellor
• Make assumptions