Sessions
Breakout Session 3C - Jill Dennison - Normalizing Mental Health in the Workplace for Frontline Workers & First-Responders
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Wed
Since the start of the pandemic, there has been an increased focus and widespread concern about the mental health and well-being of frontline workers. Although more people than ever are talking openly about the need for mental health support, the stigma associated with mental health challenges remains.
Further, the pandemic has highlighted the unique work-related stressors that first-responders experience and the related impacts on mental health. First-responders frequently encounter violence, stressful events, trauma and death while at work. Additionally, they can experience other work-related stressors like long hours, rotating shifts, heavy workloads and short-staffing. Given the particular stressors of the occupation and its potential negative impacts on mental health, it is critical that first-responders feel comfortable discussing mental health issues at work.
Although the need for mental health support is widely acknowledged, workplace conversations about mental health are not as common. While there are many factors that contribute to this, societal stigma and historical discrimination against those who choose to disclose their mental health issues or mental illness at work are major contributors.
This session will explore normalizing talking about mental health in the workplace and coping strategies for first-responders. We will explore how to navigate challenging workplace discussions, how to approach a colleague you are concerned about, as well as highlight the important considerations to remember when talking about mental health at work.
Jill Dennison is the Resource Development Coordinator for the Mental Health Promotion and Resilience Program at the Canadian Mental Health Association in Hamilton. A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, Jill provides education to the community as a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, an ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) Instructor, a safeTALK instructor and a facilitator of the Mental Health Works program. Jill is also coordinator of the TAMI (Talking About Mental Illness) program.
Jill is a wife and mother of 3 adult children