Tips and Advice
This section provides tips and advice on how to manage mental health and wellbeing. We have divided the tips into three categories: looking after yourself, looking after your colleagues, and looking after your team.
Click on the tabs to switch between the categories.
Some of the tips have been submitted by members of the community, during various workshops and Mike's fellowship talks.
Looking after your team
Tips for RSE leaders for looking after your team:
Listen
The most important thing you can do as a leader and line manager is to listen to your team. If someone comes to you with a concern, make sure to listen to what they have to say, and take their concern seriously.
You should also do what you can to help support that person. However, we accept that there are limits to what you can do. You may not be able to move deadlines, assign other team members, or help the person yourself.
The worst thing you can do is to make the person feel like you are ignoring them, that you don't appreciate them and that you are not taking their concerns seriously. This can lead to them feeling isolated and unsupported, which will only make the situation worse.
Consider appointing a Mental Health First Aider
Having a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) in your team can help to create a supportive environment where people feel able to talk about their mental health. Mental Health First Aiders are trained to listen, reassure and respond, and can also signpost further support if needed.
MHFA training costs £325 and is delivered by a number of charities and organisations across the UK. The training is usually delivered over two days, in-person or online, and covers a range of mental health conditions, as well as how to support someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis.
You can find more information on:
- MHFA England
- Scottish MHFA
- MHFA Wales
- AMH in Northern Ireland
Courses are also offered by a number of charities and organisations, and may even be available through your institution.
