Empowering the Workplace: Fostering Mental Health Awareness and Support – Insights from Ann Turner, PhD, Founder of Private Practice-Ann Turner

Ann Turner

In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, prioritizing mental health has become crucial for organizations striving to create a supportive and productive workplace. To gain valuable insights on this topic, we reached out to a diverse group of entrepreneurs who have successfully implemented strategies to address mental health concerns within their companies. In our interview series, “Empowering the Workplace: Fostering Mental Health Awareness and Support,” we delved into their experiences, seeking their perspectives on key strategies, supportive environments, and the role of training and education.
Name: Ann Turner
Company: Private Practice-Ann Turner PhD

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Table of Contents

What are some key strategies for organizations to identify and address early signs of mental health issues among employees? Share your insights and experiences on implementing proactive measures.

Ann Turner: Use a top-down approach-start with educating senior leadership and managers about the importance of good mental health. Then provide instruction on how to notice problems and provide resources to help their employees. Encourage leaders to model healthy mental health behavior including things as simple as taking regular time off.

How can companies create a supportive environment for employees to openly discuss mental health and seek help when needed? Share examples of successful communication and resources that have made a difference in your organization.

Ann Turner:

1) start with training leadership and supervisors about mental health first aid so they know the warning signs of mental health decline and feel comfortable about reaching out and know resources available to them and their employees.

2) provide a clear action plan for employees and supervisors about what they can do to help themselves and/or their employees-provide access to an employee assistance program and encourage employees to use it.

3) offer workplace support groups (e.g. employee resource groups) on topics that are particularly stressful and isolating for staff (e.g. substance abuse recovery, parents of special needs’ kids, caretaking of elderly parents, new parents).

What role can training and education play in fostering mental health awareness in the workplace? Share your experience with impactful workshops, seminars, or training programs that have contributed to a better understanding and support of mental health among employees.

Ann Turner: Training and education is foundational for fostering a mentally healthy work environment. By investing in a quality trainer and having them impart mental health information it shows that management supports improved mental health. I’ve provided a training called Making Happiness a Habit that’s been universally appreciated by entry level and senior level staff at a variety of workplaces (law firms, schools, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies).

Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to WellnessVoice and the host of this interview would like to thank Ann Turner for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.

If you would like to get in touch with Ann Turner or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page

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