Bitesize training courses → Wellbeing courses → Managing for mental health

Training course:
Managing for mental health

3 x 2-hour training sessions • In-person or remote • 4-15 participants
Rated 4.9 / 5 ★★★★★ from 18 recent reviews

About this bitesize training course

Promoting positive mental health in the workplace is essential when it comes to developing and retaining staff, and enabling them to work at the top of their game.

Managers are in a unique position to make a positive difference: promoting, supporting and sustaining the mental health of their teams. They play a critical role in picking up the signs of mental ill-health – early intervention and keeping employees well are more cost-effective than dealing with long-term problems.

Yet few HR respondents (29%) believe the managers in their organisations are sufficiently confident and competent to spot the early warning signs of mental ill-health.

This set of three interactive training sessions is designed to provide the skills help managers do just that.

Pairing suggestion: our bitesize Mental Health Awareness training course contains a broader overview of the same topics, aimed at employees who aren’t line managers.

Key details

this bitesize training course is delivered in 3 x 2 hour sessions
designed for groups of 4 – 15
delivered by an expert trainer at your workplace, or virtually
interactive, with plenty of exercises that get people talking
customisable, to connect with your organisation’s values

‘Managing for mental health’ course outline

Session one
Background & basics

This session is designed to help managers understand the importance of promoting positive mental health in the workplace. (For organisations with a solid grounding in the basics, it’s possible to start with Session Two instead.)

Recognise personal triggers and risk factors for mental ill-health
Recognise work triggers for mental ill-health
Understand the difference between “normal” stress and mental illness
Spot early warning signs of imbalance and stress overload
Understand some of the most common mental illnesses experienced at work
Recognise and explore maladaptive coping strategies

Session two
The manager’s role

Next, we enable managers to confidently identify and address potential issues, recognise where their role begins and ends, and be able to provide appropriate support for their entire team.

Recognise the impact of bias on mental health

Develop confidence to approach, assess and assist someone with a mental health issue
Understand what to say and do and how to avoid potential problems
Signpost to appropriate support
Explore and discuss the reality of supporting someone in your team with mental ill health

Session three
Putting it into practice

Finally, we train managers on supporting staff who are currently experiencing an episode of poor mental health.

Understand employment legislation in relation to disability and mental health

Explore different management tools and techniques to support individuals through the mental health continuum
Develop strategies for reasonable adjustments that support employees’ wellbeing and work within their organisational context
Work with HR teams and external parties (GPS and Occupational Health) to gain more insight into specific requirements for individuals
Develop skills for managing individuals experiencing mental health conditions at work
Understand the importance of and how to communicate with employees absent from work
Understand the requirements of an effective return to work plan
Keep appropriate records and documentation, in line with GDPR

Recent reviews for our ‘Managing for Mental Health’ training course

"The group discussions gave a great opportunity for everyone to discuss their scenarios and realise that we all deal with these cases in a similar way. "

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"It was really interesting - I felt like I got some really useful tools to use in the future."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Very well hosted and moderated by our trainer, who spoke clearly and fluently, and was inclusive but without pushing those who were perhaps a bit reluctant to put their head above the parapet!"

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"Loved looking at the various case studies. The small breakout groups really helped with people being honest about their thoughts and reactions."

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"It was a good length with just the right mixture of learning, breakouts and case studies."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"The content was helpful and informative. Our presenter was really knowledgeable, and the information provided will be really useful in having conversations with individuals on the team. "

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"The break out sessions were timely and very worthwhile. Working at a fast, yet comfortable pace, the 2.5hrs flew by. A very worthwhile and and extremely informative workshop which was definitely worth me attending."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Taking the stigma out of discussing mental health is something that should be talked about openly, and the content of this course, really helped with ways of how to do this."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Why book this training course?

✅ Ensure compliance

Mental health workplace issues have frequent crossover with compliance areas such as employment law, disability, non-discrimination, and more besides. This course ensures managers make the right decisions, so you have peace of mind.

♥️ Build a culture of care

Empower managers to confidently and empathetically handle mental wellness challenges in their teams, and give them the tools to make timely decisions before problems get out of hand, so everyone feels supported.

📈 Bounce back from setbacks

Sadly, work doesn’t always go according to plan. Our resilience training course helps teach tactics to re-energise and re-focus during and after a period of turbulence, uncertainty or heightened stress.

Build your own programme with these related courses

Resilience: background & basics

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Building mental resilience

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Building physical resilience

Assess and reflect on your physical resilience, and explores techniques to develop resilience in the body when time is in short supply.

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Managing for mental health (3 part course)

This three-session training course deeply develops your managers’ understanding of mental health - and their capacity to deal with issues sensitively and confidently.

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Managing for resilience

Strengthen managers’ capacity to empathetically nurture their teams through challenges, setbacks and high-pressure situations.

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Qualification: Mental Health First Aid

A two-day course leading to the internationally recognised MHFA qualification, empowering participants to respond confidently to incidents of acute mental health distress in the workplace.

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Mental Health First Aid refresher session

For MHFA qualification holders: refresh your memory, update your skills and boost your confidence in managing mental health incidents. Recommended every two years.

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Mindfulness at work

Explore the practice of mindfulness, discover how to implement it, and how it can be used to enhance creativity, focus and empathy in challenging conditions.

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Mental health awareness

Debunk the myths and explore the facts about mental health, develop an understanding of one’s own mental health, and learn how to assist others.

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See all our workplace wellbeing training courses

“Everything BiteSize Learning has delivered for us over the past year has been fantastic. The trainers have been exceptional, and the sessions have gone down really well. I’m really happy to recommend them.”

Julie Hyett, UK Talent Lead, Aon Risk Solutions ★★★★★

Training made easy, the Bitesize way •

All killer, no filler: our training sessions are crammed with high-value insights, and perfect for busy teams.

Live & interactive: real change doesn’t come from half-heartedly skimming through e-learning. We believe in bringing people together, to deliver memorable, engaging training experiences with learning that sticks.

Expert-led: all our training courses are designed + delivered by experienced specialists in L&D, HR and leadership coaching.

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Training course:
Managing for mental health