Mental Health Awareness Workshop

It is a startling fact that each year 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness. As mental illness becomes more prevalent in the workplace it is increasingly prudent that we are educated and build our knowledge around Mental Health awareness.

Workplace mental health awareness and training should be considered a necessity - we spend a huge amount of time at work and in many instances we will notice when something isn't right with a colleague. Mentally healthy workplaces are more positive, more productive and get the best out of their teams. Organisations that care about good mental health and wellbeing also attract and retain staff.

LG Professionals WA are proud to be partnering with Mental Strides to deliver our new one-day Mental Health Awareness Workshop for the local government sector. The workshop will provide basic mental health knowledge and skills, through practical and engaging exercises, which reinforce the importance of looking after our mental health.

Workshop participants will learn more about:

• Mental health
• Prevalence of mental ill health or illness
• Working with a mental illness
• Identifying and managing workplace stressors
• Supporting others - how to recognise when someone may need support and where to get help
• Supporting yourself - sleep, nutrition, exercise, self-care
• Planning for better mental health

Workshop Presenter - Engel Prendergast, Mental Health Consultant
Engel is an accredited Mental Health First Aid and safeTALK Instructor, and a Lifeline Crisis Supporter and Mentor. Engel has more than 20 years of experience working with local governments, communities, and organisations to build their capacity in achieving common goals. As a Mental Health Consultant, Engel works with organisations to build a culture that supports good mental health. Her extensive experience in training facilitation ensures that she can provide an environment that fosters learning and ownership.

Mental Health facts:

• Each year 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness.
• Mental ill health costs Australian workplaces $4.7 billion in absenteeism, $6.1 billion in presenteeism (reduced productivity) and $146 million in compensation claims each year.
• Only 22% of full-time workers with signs of common mental illness receive treatment for their mental health problems.

Source: Mental Health First Aid Australia