Lessons I learned after I turned 30

When I received the email asking for trainers and potential training topics to be added to the list of adult courses offered at work, although I was and still am painfully aware that mental health in the workplace might not be a popular subject, especially as Cyprus still lags behind when it comes to accommodating and progressive working conditions, let alone holistic approaches to workplace wellbeing, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to develop and deliver my first comprehensive training on mental health at the workplace.

I’ve prepared and delivered a few training sessions and seminars so far, mainly on communication skills, emotional intelligence, and stress management. However, this was the first time I had the opportunity to put together a 10-hour workshop covering the most important aspects of mental health in the workplace.

The main aim of the workshop was to provide an overview and a taste of the most important elements of workplace well-being (each session could potentially be developed into a full workshop, to put some of this knowledge and these skills into practice), and was mainly addressed to managerial staff. Still, I designed it in a way that everyone could benefit from it, and based on my experience, knowledge, and studies so far, I decided to focus on the following main topics and areas:

• An overview of the (limited) data on mental health in Cyprus
• The most common mental health disorders and their symptoms
• Health and safety, and other relevant legislations related to workplace wellbeing
• A specific focus on stress management and coping strategies, both short-term and long-term
• Psychological safety, a huge and essential element of workplace wellbeing, but a concept that in most workplaces in Cyprus is not even known as a term.
• The basics of mental health first aid, the role of emotional intelligence in workplace wellbeing, and simple actions one can take to support colleagues who might be struggling.
• And finally, and most importantly, best practices at the organisational level, based on the invaluable Work Wellbeing Playbook 2.0, developed by the World Wellbeing Movement, the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, and Indeed, because only when wellbeing is evident in every aspect, strategy, and human resource practice of an organisation do employees truly thrive.

Of course, all sessions were 100% interactive, with case studies, mini quizzes, group discussions, pair work, and plenty of reflection.

Although there wasn’t a huge turnout, running this workshop with a group of six individuals allowed everyone to share their thoughts and learn from each other. The feedback I received from participants was brilliant and made it all worth it.

I’ve learned a lot myself, not only from the participants but also on how to keep improving as a trainer, and I’ve come once again to the realisation that I truly love designing and delivering meaningful, interactive trainings on topics that are not always the easiest or most convenient to navigate.

If this resonates with you, or if mental health and wellbeing at work is something you’ve been wanting to explore in a more meaningful way, I’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s to bring this workshop, adapt it to your organisation’s needs, or simply to exchange thoughts and experiences, I truly believe these conversations matter, and I’m always open to continuing them.