The Working Mind for Oral Healthcare Professionals — Created for the Canadian Dental Association 3 OVERVIEW ON TRAINING FORMATS: This course is available both virtually and in-person. Whichever format you choose to sponsor, individuals will have the same opportunity to learn more about mental health in the workplace and how to take care of their own. For the virtual format: • The course can be delivered via Zoom or Microsoft (MS) Teams. Zoom is highly recommended as it offers superior functionality. • Participants must have access to a working camera, microphone and speakers or earphones for each session. • If participants choose to use Zoom, they’re required to make a free Zoom account. For the in-person format: • A venue with adequate space must be provided. • Meals should be arranged ahead of time, either by catering or bringing your own food. • If the facilitator isn’t local, then a travel estimate will be provided to clients. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 1. What are the group sizes? This depends on if the course is virtual or in-person. Virtual group sizes range from 8 to 15 participants, and in-person group sizes range from 8 to 25 participants. 2. How long does it take to complete the course? Here’s a breakdown of the time commitment for both managers and employees: Manager virtual: 7 hours total (can be delivered over one day or split into two days, within a two-week period) Manager in-person: 8 hours total (can be delivered over one day or split into two days, within a two-week period) Employee virtual: 5 hours total (can be delivered over one day only) Employee in-person: 4.5 hours total (can be delivered over one day only) 3. Do I need to bring any training materials or supplies? The participant materials are sent prior to the course to be distributed. We recommend you bring any of your organization’s mental health resources as well. 4. How can I sign up for this course? You can complete the Intake Form (at the end of this document) and return it to bd@mentalhealthcommission.ca. A coordinator will be in touch to finalize the contracting and scheduling process soon. Learn more: 1.866.989.3764 • theworkingmind@mentalhealthcommission.ca • www.theworkingmind.ca Suite 1210, 350 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 1A4 • Fax: 613.798.2989 • bd@mentalhealthcommission.ca • www.mentalhealthcommission.ca Welcome to The Working Mind: A Guide for Sponsoring Organizations At the height of the pandemic, CDA’s COVID-19 Practice Recovery Task Force culminated its work into a new customized coursecalled, TheWorkingMind:Workplace Mental Health & Wellness for Oral Health Care Professionals. We’re proud to share our findings and help our community take the best care of themselves and others. Your place of work can play an essential part in helping to boost or maintain positive mental health. They can be places where people feel productive, and a good workplace can be a strong contributor to an employee’s overall well-being. Conversely, a stressful work environment can increase the risk of mental health issues and disorders, which account for approximately 30% of all short- and long-term disability claims in Canada. They can also lead to staff absenteeism and turnover, which costs Canadian businesses billions per year, and dental offices have not been spared. widely available, we hope to empower the complete dental team to prioritize their well-being, foster a supportive atmosphere, and to ultimately enhance the care they provide to patients.” “Conversations about your own and your colleagues’ mental health are not easy,” adds Geoff Valentine, head of programs and services at CDA. “This customized course provides all team members with strategies to help make those conversation happen, when they are needed.” Designed to be flexible to meet a range of needs, the course can be taken in-person or online. It consists of three modules for all members of the dental team plus an additional module specific for dentists (as leaders of the practice), to help lead their teams toward a healthier work environment. “Flexibility is so important in today’s workplace, and we hope that by having the courses available with a range of options will make is easier for people to fit this important topic into their busy lives,” says Valentine. “Teaming up with CDA, the MHCC reinforces our dedication to the mental health and well-being of oral health care professionals nationwide,” says Shane Silver, MHCC vicepresident, Opening Minds. “This evidence-based, customized training program helps reduce mental health-related stigma and creates an environment where people come first and are comfortable engaging in discussions and seeking help. The result is a healthier workplace, which leads to an overall healthier Canadian workforce.” “When CDA and the provincial and territorial dental associations prioritized the issues facing dentists and dental practices, mental health was top priority for everyone participating,” says Dr. Aaron Burry, CDA CEO. In October 2023, CDA and the MHCC officially launched a new collaborative project to mark Healthy Workplace Month. The Working Mind: Workplace Mental Health & Wellness for Oral Health Care Professionals course is designed to help Canadian dentists prioritize their own mental health and well-being while also maintaining a work environment that is conducive to delivering optimal patient care. CDA and MHCC are committed to creating an inclusive atmosphere where individuals can address mental health concerns without any fear of judgment by removing stigma and raising knowledge about mental health. The program was created specifically for dentists and their practice and office staff members. “The course provides a safe space for oral health professionals to explore the importance of maintaining positive mental health in their workplace,” says Dr. Heather Carr, CDA president. “By making this course The course provides a safe space for oral health professionals toexplore the importance of maintaining positive mental health in their workplace. 9 Issue 6 | 2023 |
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=