Name
Breakout Session 7F: CHKC: Supporting Intervenors to Support Others - Mental Wellness for All
Date & Time
Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Location Name
Room 208
Country of Submission
Canada
Description

The purpose of this presentation is to share how Canadian Helen Keller Centre (CHKC) supports intervenors' mental wellness through training and other supports, so they can best support the mental wellness of those who receive services. Mental wellness is a continuum, not a destination, and front-line work is hard. CHKC has prioritized the creation of a dynamic support system for intervenors to help encourage overall mental wellness. Our policies, procedures, best-practices and outcomes are born of our lived experiences and are shaped from feedback from our sector-partners, those we serve, intervenors and stakeholders. In this presentation, we will share resources and processes on the following: mental health and safety related training; supportive onboarding practices that allow on the job shadowing and debriefs; on the job coaching and mentoring; regular opportunities for open communication and mental health check-ins; encouraging a feedback-rich culture and a commitment to being responsive leaders that act on and regularly provide feedback; regular wellness initiatives, benefits, perks, and more. Three in five people will experience struggles with their mental health at some point in their life and, post-pandemic, the Great Resignation is in full swing. We hope that sharing examples of our best practices will inspire leaders to implement their own strategies to support the mental wellness of their staff, with the ultimate goal of achieving service success.