Why Leaders Must Learn Conversational Literacy for Mental Health at Work
Graphic by Melissa Dorsky Designs LLC on behalf of Melissa Doman LLC
Let’s kick off with a question:
Why do leaders avoid talking about mental health at work?
If your immediate answer is “They’re clueless,” you’re on the right track! But hold that thought for a second. The truth is many leaders genuinely want to address mental health issues but they don't know how! They fear saying the wrong thing, making the situation worse, or just can't figure out where to begin.
Enter our new—and the first ever—Mental Health at Work Conversational Literacy® Certificate Program - for Leaders¹ from Melissa Doman LLC. This isn’t just another leadership training program; it’s the leadership training lifeline your company has been searching for. So, buckle up, because we’re about to explore why every leader—yes, even the one who struggles with the phrase “How are you?”—needs this training.
IT'S TIME FOR PEOPLE MANAGERS, AT ALL LEVELS, TO START TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
Let’s face it: mental health conversations can feel like the elephant in the room. You know it’s there, but many people may not want to acknowledge it, fearing it might stampede. Most leaders fall back on the classic reason: “I don’t want to get it wrong.” And honestly, can you blame them?
It’s not like there’s a user manual for handling sensitive topics at work... wait a minute... have you read my book? Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health At Work: Here's Why (And How To Do It Really Well)² is every working person's playbook, regardless of title or tenure, to understand mental health on a deeper level and learn how to talk about it in a constructive, solution-oriented, and empathetic way.
But here’s the kicker: our Mental Health at Work Conversational Literacy® Certificate Program - For Leaders goes even deeper to provide leaders with the in-depth education and essential tools they actually need to add to their leadership conversational literacy toolkit. And, it’s offered in-house so your leadership team can learn alongside one another.
We know that leadership positions come with their commonly accepted dos and don’ts, but not talking about mental health challenges doesn’t make them go away. Instead, it leaves your team (and sometimes even you) navigating struggles alone, ultimately potentially impacting employee retention rates, productivity, and performance - for everyone.
This live-facilitated 5-day program equips leaders with the skills to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health, ultimately fostering a supportive environment at work. For leaders as individuals, their teams, and their leadership peers.
THE PROGRAM: A ROADMAP FOR LEADERSHIP CONVERSATIONS
Think of this program as your GPS for navigating the (sometimes) tricky roads of workplace mental health concerns by giving you clear directions and alternate routes so you can arrive at your destination with less confusion, hesitation, or frustration. With six interactive modules and countless practical strategies, leaders learn not only how to talk about mental health, but also why it’s essential to do so - at work. You’ll get to dive into understanding mental health and mental illness (especially in the context of work), how to reduce conversation roadblocks, and, yes, sharing your own mental health experiences as a leader (shock, horror, relief!).
Imagine being able to discuss mental health topics openly with your team, colleagues, and leadership peers. Sounds revolutionary, doesn’t it? By replacing those potentially awkward silences with supportive discussions, leaders can participate in creating a healthy workplace where they, their employees, and leadership peers feel safe to express their struggles and seek support.
EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS (PSST, LEADERS ARE EMPLOYEES, TOO)
Let’s break it down: mental health is a vital aspect of our overall wellbeing. It impacts how we think, feel, and interact with others. Ignoring it at work is like ignoring a leak in your roof—it’s only a matter of time before the whole thing comes crashing down and you have a whole mess on your hands.
The Mental Health at Work Conversational Literacy® Certificate Program for leaders aims to shatter the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace. By equipping leaders with practical (and crucial) skills, we’re fostering a culture of openness and support.
And guess what? This culture doesn’t just improve employee morale; it also enhances overall business performance, improving team productivity, and even reducing absences per employee). When your team feels supported, they’re more likely to be engaged, productive, and loyal.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
So, why should you, as someone in a leadership position or an HR professional looking to support leaders in your business, care about this program?
Here’s the deal: if you want to be an empathetic, solutions-focused, modern leader—one who inspires, motivates, and supports your team—you need to invest in expanding your conversational skills. The World of Work is evolving, and so should your approach to leadership.
Mental health at work has always been important. These days, more than ever, it seems like managing our mental health is getting tougher, and the problems in the world are getting tougher too. So instead of wishing that would all ‘get better’, the more realistic and constructive thing to do is give people the tools and skills they need to manage themselves, and the environments they interact with.
This isn’t just about adding another bullet point to your resume. It’s about real, tangible change in your workplace culture, on individual, team, and organizational levels - starting with mental health training.
Program participants will learn a ton of valuable leadership education, including lessons on how to address roadblocks that prevent meaningful conversations about mental health, explore the impact of rising stress on mental health, and discuss the long-lasting implications of the pandemic on mental health at work – to name a few. Let’s just say, this isn’t your typical “phone it in” course. How in the world could we expect anyone to master this skill in 1 day? It’s just not possible, my friends, which is why we’re dedicating 5 days to this ‘soup to nuts’ program.
WHAT LEADERS WILL LEARN IN THIS PROGRAM
Curious about what you’ll actually learn? You can get more details on our website but here’s your appetizer of details:
Understanding Mental Health at Work: Learn what mental health really is and why it’s critical to discuss it in a work environment. Spoiler alert: it’s more than just a buzzword.
Reducing Conversation Roadblocks: Understand the inside and outside factors that influence peoples' willingness (or lack thereof) to discuss mental health at work - and how to cross the divide of differences so folks from different backgrounds can have those conversations.
Talking About Your Mental Health as a Leader: Yes, you can, and should, talk about your own mental health. For yourself, and so you can have the capacity to lead others too. Yet it is one of the most underdeveloped leadership skills.
Supporting Your Leadership Colleagues: Because we all know leadership can be a tough place. Contribute to building an open mental health culture among your peers, too.
Supporting Your Team’s Mental Health: Learn how to approach your team with empathy and understanding. As a conversationally literate leader, begin to initiate and be an open recipient of authentic conversations, where you assist by knowing and identifying their boundaries.
Keeping Societal Change & the World of Work in Mind: Because we’re not just here for the certificate of completion; we’re building tomorrow’s workplace.
Now, if you’re thinking, “This sounds great, but I don’t have time,” let’s be real. Not having time to learn about mental health is like saying you don’t have time to fix that leaky roof. Trust me, the cost of ignoring it will be far greater.
THE FUTURE OF LEADERSHIP: TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE
As we move into an increasingly complex work environment, mental health, and wellbeing will be at the forefront of effective leadership.
The Mental Health at Work Conversational Literacy® Certificate Program - For Leaders isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.
Remember, Awareness Is Great—Action Is Better™️. This is your chance to step up and lead with empathy, understanding, and—dare I say—confidence. You'll have a newfound confidence to begin and carry on conversations that contribute to a positive culture at work.
So, what are you waiting for? Join the movement to start these crucial conversations. Acknowledging first that you need to show up for yourself (you know, in the ‘put your oxygen mask on before helping others’ kind of energy) and you’ll be on your way to becoming the kind of leader you wish you could’ve had earlier in your career. You’ll get to be that leader for your team and they’ll be all the better for it.
Now, go ahead and reach out to secure your spot in the program.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Contact us to secure your spot in the program–live facilitation (in-person and virtual) begins in January 2025.
Looking for more training to teach your leaders the legal boundaries of talking about mental health to their teams? Check out our program here (it even comes with an employment lawyer too!).
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