Many consider the internet to be a bad influence on our mental wellbeing. Social media can affect our focus by taking us out of the present moment. Work emails demand our attention at all hours, preventing us from getting that vital, stress alleviating break. Pictures online are perfectly photoshopped making the ideal unattainable and lowering our self-esteem.
However, when Robert E. Kahn and Vint Cerf invented the internet, they intended it be used for communication and learning. Here lie the benefits of the internet to our mental well-being. Online Mental Health Training has five main benefits which may make it a more desirable starting point when introducing the topic of mental health to employees. Importantly, Mental Health at Work E-Learning is always best delivered as part of a blended approach which includes both online and face to face methods.
1. Introduction to the Topic (Taster)
Although the landscape is changing and society is starting to accept mental health, there is still a lot of stigma which surrounds Mental Health and Emotional Well-being. This means, for many organisations, the topic of Mental Well-being remains somewhat taboo. Employee’s experiencing poor mental health might fear putting their head above the parapet because they don’t want to be labelled ‘weak’, ‘overly emotional’ or ‘not in control’. Employees and Managers may be unenthusiastic to spend days on Mental Health Training because they still view it as inessential. Online Mental Health training can be beneficial in overcoming these obstacles which result from stigma and prevent people from getting the support they need.
Altruist Enterprises Mental Health at Work E-Learning course covers the fundamental basics of mental health in the workplace, in half an hour. E-Learning means that employees can understand the early warning signs of stress, learn basic self-care and be signposted to the correct services without leaving their desk. This prevents issues that arise when individuals are too nervous to come forward and ask for help in person. E-learning can be great when used as a taster for all employees to show them just how essential mental well-being is for a happy, productive workforce. In turn, encouraging employees to understand the need for more complete face to face Mental Health Training.
2. Maintaining Knowledge (Refresher)
Research conducted by Eduardo Salas, a professor of psychology and program director of the Institute for Simulation & Training at the University of Central Florida, has uncovered that roughly 90% of new skills may be lost within a year if they are not reinforced. E-learning can provide a quick and easy refresher for employees who have previously undertaken face to face mental health training. By reinforcing employee’s mental health knowledge with E-learning, organisations can ensure that all staff are well equipped with the skills to support themselves and their colleagues.
3. Communication (with remote or from-home workers):
In an ever-changing work environment, it is not always possible to deliver training in person to all employees. Some employees are remote and some work from home. Remote workers may be more at risk of mental health problems because they lack routine and family support. They are also more likely to experience fatigue and have poor diets as a result of being on the go. Therefore E-learning is able to provide education and support to those hard to reach and most at risk. The accessibility of E-learning is one of its greatest benefits, all employees need is a screen and an internet connection.
4. Personal Touch
The most effective training provides delegates with individual attention. E-learning is beneficial because it provides delegates with constant individual attention, without distractions that can occur as a result of group training. In addition, individual attention is especially important when learning about personal topics like Mental Wellbeing. E-learning is beneficial because it provides sufficient privacy and time for delegates to reflect on their own mental health. E-learning is an act of self-care which allows employees to better their stress management methods and focus on ways to increase well-being for themselves and colleagues. Delegates will also have access to an online forum where they can ask questions and have them answered by an expert Altruist Enterprises trainer.
5. Upskill
Mental Health at Work Elearning is also an excellent opportunity to upskill the wider employee base. As well as the 30-minute interactive course, delegates will have access to a variety of extra resources to increase their knowledge. These resources include access to Altruist Enterprises Mental Health Blog, free mental health content and further mental health training. These resources will increase delegates knowledge of stress management techniques like mindfulness, mental health problems and resilience.
Find out more about our Resilience and Mental Health E-learning courses and how they can provide your staff with the skills to support themselves and their teams.