The working mind

TWM Workplace Mental Health and Wellness, is an education-based program designed to address and promote mental health and reduce the stigma of mental illness in a workplace setting.

OOHNA is pleased to announce that we will be offering The Working Mind Program (TWM) virtually!  With the support of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, we are one of only a handful of organizations that have the opportunity to deliver The Working Mind (TWM) program across Ontario. TWM is an education-based program designed to address and promote mental health and reduce the stigma of mental illness in a workplace setting. OOHNA offers this program in both face-to-face and virtual settings, but currently, we are only offering it virtually.

OOHNA believes it is important to establish ourselves as leaders in mental health training. TWM is an education-based program designed to address and promote mental health and reduce the stigma.

By participating in TWM program you can become a mental health advocate in your organization to ensure the workplace is respectful and inclusive of all employees, including those with mental health issues and mental illness.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

If you are interested in having a Working Mind session at your workplace. Please email administration@oohna.on.ca 

What is the working Mind?

TWM offers two tailored course options:

There are two versions of TWM: one for managers/supervisors (Full-Day) and one for employees / “frontline” staff (Half-Day). These courses include scenario-based practical applications and custom videos of people with lived experience of mental illness, reference guides, and related handouts.

full- day program

The full-day program is for managers/supervisors.

  • A focus on dispelling the myths of mental health problems and mental illnesses, aiming to reduce the associated stigma
  • An overview of the Mental Health Continuum Model
  • Self-assessment of one’s own mental health along the continuum
  • Strategies one can apply at each point along the continuum
  • Workplace accommodations and return to work
  • How to observe changes in employees along the continuum
  • Appropriate actions to take
  • How to communicate with employees about mental health illness in a workplace context
half-day program

The half-day session is for employees/ “frontline” staff.

  • A focus on dispelling the myths of mental health problems and mental illnesses, aiming to reduce the associated stigma
  • An overview of the Mental Health Continuum Model
  • Self-assessment of one’s own mental health along the continuum
  • Strategies one can apply at each point along the continuum

What are the goals & objectives of this program?

  • To support the mental health and wellbeing of employees
  • To enable the full productivity of employees
  • To ensure the workplace is respectful and inclusive of all employees, including those with mental health problems and mental illness
  • To encourage employees to seek help for mental health problems and mental illness

  • To examine the effects of mental health problems and mental illness in the workplace
  • To help staff identify indicators of declining and poor mental health in themselves and others
  • To introduce the concept of Mental Health Continuum Model
  • To review employees’, managers’, and employers’ mental health rights and responsibilities
  • To provide strategies staff can use to maintain good mental health

 

HOW TO REGISTER

The cost of an organization that sponsors a session can be as low as $150.00 plus HST per participant. To learn more or register for the course: administration@oohna.on.ca

What did other people have to say?

Attending The Working Mind helps you understand how changes in our mental health affect our physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as our productivity at work. Facilitated in a comprehensive and practical manner, the learning outcomes can be applied to any workplace to help make managers and employers more aware of the signs that an employee might need support, as well as the mechanisms available to better assist them at each phase.

Marcela Killin

Chief Operating Officer, Nurse Practitioners Association of Ontario

I had the opportunity to attend The Working Mind workshop presented by Drew Sousa.  The course provided fundamentals for employers in managing mental health in the workplace.  With this initiative starting more than 5 years ago, it was promising to see a standard guideline/process for employers to work with who are unfamiliar in dealing with mental health.  Drew’s format used was very easy to follow and encouraged audience participation.   I can certainly see the immediate benefits and impact for employers who consider participating in this education session.

Ron Batac, RN, COHN(C) GBA

Occupational Health Manager, Wellpoint Health Ltd.

The Working Mind workshop provided very useful information for all types of workplaces.  I really  appreciated the handout Mental Health Continuum Model reference card.  Excellent presentation!

Karen Watson, RN, BHSc(N), COHN(C), CRSP

President, Ontario Occupational Health Nurses Association