Cultivating Mental Health Awareness & Psychological Safety at Bayer
The Objective
Bayer S.A. recognized the critical importance of addressing mental health in the workplace and sought to equip its workforce with the skills and knowledge to identify and manage mental health challenges effectively. To achieve this, they partnered with us to deliver a two-phased Mental Health First Aid Training program aimed at training the entire company and providing deeper, targeted training for people managers.
Our Approach
We designed a comprehensive program with two distinct phases:
Phase 1: Company-Wide Training
Awareness Building: Educated all employees about prevalent mental health issues and worked to reduce stigma.
Symptom Recognition: Provided tools for identifying early signs of mental health challenges in oneself and colleagues.
Basic Intervention Strategies: Introduced accessible techniques to offer immediate support and encouragement for seeking professional help.
Phase 2: In-Depth Training for People Managers
Advanced Recognition Skills: Focused on spotting more nuanced or long-term mental health patterns.
Empathetic Communication: Developed managers’ ability to have open, supportive conversations about mental health.
Crisis Management: Provided practical guidance on handling workplace incidents such as panic attacks or severe stress responses.
Leadership Role: Trained managers to create and maintain a psychologically safe work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.
Program Structure
Duration and Format:
The company-wide training consisted of interactive workshops delivered to all employees, with a focus on foundational knowledge and strategies.
The second phase featured in-depth training sessions for people managers, combining theoretical insights with hands-on role-playing and case study analysis.
Resources and Tools: Participants across both phases received comprehensive workbooks, practical guides, and access to supplementary materials for continued learning.
The Results
The two-phased approach resulted in significant outcomes for Bayer:
Workforce-Wide Impact: Employees reported a heightened awareness and understanding of mental health issues, leading to a more supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
Empowered Managers: People managers gained the confidence and skills to address mental health concerns effectively within their teams, fostering trust and psychological safety.
Cultural Transformation: The organization experienced a noticeable reduction in stigma surrounding mental health, with increased openness in discussing challenges and seeking support.
Conclusion
The Mental Health First Aid Training program successfully equipped Bayer’s workforce with the tools to proactively approach mental health while providing people managers with deeper insights and strategies to support their teams effectively. This initiative reflects Bayer’s commitment to fostering a culture of empathy and well-being, setting a benchmark for corporate mental health practices.
For more information on this training, please see here