Improving Well-being in the Workplace: Mental Health at Work

Facilitator
Ashley Weinberg

Who should attend
This workshop is aimed at all those who work! Whether dealing with individual or organisational clients who require interventions to improve psychological well-being, or developing your own strategies for surviving the challenges of the modern workplace, this provides an interactive opportunity to explore an important knowledge base underpinned by relevant theory and applied findings. This workshop is designed for Practitioners-in-Training and Chartered Occupational Psychologists alike, whether they work as independent consultants or are based in organisations. In addition, non-psychologists with interests relevant to mental health in the workplace are welcome. The style of delivery seeks to balance research and 'real-world' experience and is designed to appeal to those working or intending to work with psychological health issues in the workplace.

Workshop overview
The workshop aims to provide an overview of the sources, symptoms and consequences of psychological health as well as potential interventions. The range of positive and negative experiences of mental health at work is explored and its role in the functioning of employees and organisations considered. Potential sources of strain are identified alongside key challenges to psychological well-being, leading to an examination of the positive options for improving the workplace, as well as expanding the individual’s strategies for survival. Providing a balance of facilitator-led and group-work sessions, participants will be engaged in a variety of activities and discussions designed to permit individual, as well as group learning. The early part of the day will introduce the key concepts and themes relating to mental health and features of the workplace. The late morning will involve small groups working on relevant case studies. After lunch, facilitator input on interventions will be followed by opportunities for discussion and self-assessment and more case study work shared with the main group, leading to action planning.

Aims of the workshop

• To examine the nature of psychological health and the prevalence of problems likely to be found in the workplace, e.g. depression, stress, anxiety as well as a range of individual symptoms associated with psychological ill health.
• To identify a range of organisational symptoms associated with good as well as poor health and impaired functioning.
• To consider a range of factors for improving impaired psychological health.
• To identify and evaluate a range of approaches to intervention which can help promote improved psychological health at work.

Projected outcomes and benefits of attending

• Following participation in this workshop, attendees should be able to:
• recognise the main symptoms of psychological disorders commonly reported in the workplace;
• appraise the likely causes of strain for employees, as well as those of stress in an organisational context;
• review evidence-based interventions suitable for use in organisations; 22Workshop
• draw on relevant legal rulings in cases where employees have experienced mental health problems at work; and
• Recommend appropriate strategies for improving psychological well-being at work.

There are many benefits from learning about a topic which impacts on all psychologists, indeed on all employees, whether as Practitioners or Practitioners-in-Training. In working with clients and organisations, as well as individual workers in a demanding arena, psychological health issues are likely to influence the degree of success of many work-based interventions. This workshop will highlight key challenges facing our mental health at work, providing opportunities to assess the impact of a range of workplace features in addition to considering a framework for potential solutions. This is a workshop for the intended benefit of both psychologists and their clients.

Psychological theory underpinning the workshop
Combining the concepts of mental health (from across the spectrum of positive job-related well-being to burnout) and work, this workshop provides a compelling combination of models and applied research evidence, designed to clarify the relationships between psychological health and challenges in the modern workplace. From classic approaches through to current conceptual frameworks, the workplace is analysed from a range of perspectives. Incorporating the psychological contract, emotional labour, work-life balance and relationships at work, participants are encouraged to explore the meaning of psychological well-being in relation to features of work and to consider a framework of preventative, strain management and ‘treatment’ interventions within which to facilitate both individual and organisational gains.

Pre/post work required
N/A

Date and venue
10 September 2008, 09.30 - 17.00.
The British Psychological Society, 30 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4UE.

Facilitator Details
Dr Ashley Weinberg is a Chartered Psychologist with 15 years experience in lecturing and consultancy, specialising in interactive workshops and enthusing others to expand their knowledge and skills through applying psychological theories to real-world situations. Having completed his MSc in Occupational Psychology, carrying out the first study of psychological health among Members of Parliament for his dissertation, Ashley has conducted and published research into stress among health and social care workers and has written a book with Cary Cooper entitled ‘Surviving the Workplace’. Having worked in a variety of roles in radio journalism, sales and the NHS, Ashley draws on a wealth of experience which is likely to appeal to all those who recognise the importance of psychological well-being. He is a media contact for the BPS on a range of topics and has been involved in television, radio and newspaper interviews, ranging from chat shows to live news broadcasts.

Registration is now open

Reg Form: Weinberg 10.09.08

or book on-line

The Division of Occupational
Psychology is part of:
The British Psychological Society