Psychological Safety and Mental Health Awareness at Qualco Group
The Objective
Qualco Group approached us to support their efforts in addressing mental health in the workplace and equipping their people managers with the skills needed to effectively support their teams. In response, we designed and delivered a comprehensive 4-month training program aimed at raising awareness, reducing stigma around mental health issues, and enhancing leadership skills to foster open communication, trust, and psychological safety across the organization.
The Rationale
Mental health issues impact both personal and professional lives in ways we are only beginning to fully understand. Educating people managers on recognizing these issues in themselves and their teams, identifying triggers, and approaching sensitive discussions with empathy is essential to maximizing workplace support while minimizing negative consequences for individuals and teams alike.
The Design
The program was designed to:
Cultivate awareness around the most prevalent mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Identify common triggers of mental health challenges and understand how to spot signs and symptoms, even in virtual settings.
Equip participants with methods and frameworks, such as the C.L.A.S.S. approach, to effectively respond to mental health issues in the workplace.
Propose ways to engage in impactful discussions using empathy and mindful communication techniques.
Foster psychological safety by creating an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing concerns without fear of judgment.
Solidify learning through role plays based on real-life scenarios, simulations, and small team sharing in breakout rooms.
Our Approach
We designed a tailored 4-month training program that blended workshops, interactive discussions, and practical exercises to ensure both engagement and application.
Training Content:
Addressed the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for open and honest communication.
Educated participants on mental health triggers and symptoms, emphasizing virtual and in-person contexts.
Delivered practical tools to recognize and address mental health concerns effectively.
Introduced empathetic communication techniques to help managers support their teams better.
Interactive Learning:
Role-playing and real-life scenario simulations provided a safe space for participants to practice their skills.
Group sharing in breakout rooms encouraged collaboration and deeper understanding of mental health dynamics.
The Benefits
The training initiative delivered substantial benefits to Qualco Group, including:
Destigmatizing mental health issues and discussions in the workplace.
Strengthening corporate culture by creating a safe and inclusive environment for all employees.
Improving communication skills for handling sensitive discussions with empathy.
Increasing employee morale and engagement by establishing solid support systems.
Reducing friction and fear of speaking up about mental health concerns.
Creating a supportive culture focused on the holistic wellbeing of individuals.
Minimizing productivity loss associated with mental health challenges.
Enhancing team resilience and overall engagement.
The Results
The program achieved a 93% satisfaction rate, reflecting its effectiveness in addressing mental health awareness and leadership development. People managers reported increased confidence in recognizing and responding to mental health challenges within their teams. Additionally, they demonstrated improved communication skills, creating a stronger sense of psychological safety and trust in their workplaces.
Conclusion
Through this tailored training program, we successfully supported Qualco Group in enhancing their people managers' ability to address mental health challenges, foster psychological safety, and build trust within their teams. This case underscores our dedication to equipping leaders with the skills needed to promote resilience, wellbeing, and open communication in the workplace.