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Topic: Overwhelmed – Psychological First Aid for the Workplace

BRIEF SESSION OUTLINE

The focus of this talk is on the most invisible of injuries; a new strategy to target psychological safety at work. It’s not just about doing something. It’s about doing something that works.

This year, more than eight million people in Canada will likely face one of the common mental illnesses -- that is more than the population of our 13 capital cities combined.

With at least seven branches of law now emphasizing an employer’s duty to protect, promote and accommodate psychological health and safety needs of workers, the onus to take meaningful action is growing.

• How do we promote the psychological health of workers? How big a problem is it?
• How do we prevent psychological harm in the workplace? What are we doing? Not doing?
• How do we support employers making the effort to improve their psychological health and safety standards?

Join us for the answers to these questions and more. We believe we have a cost effective solution employers (and employees) will want to discuss.

Speaker: Demetre Balaktsis

Demetre is a Psychological and Suicide First Aid master trainer. He runs a social enterprise that supports the formation of psychologically safe workplaces and communities. As a thought leader and advocate in this area, he speaks to groups about the myths and realities around this topic. He also train ‘lifeguards’, and ‘role models’, in their communities to speak openly, foster healing and equip people to live more vitally. This is a mission that he is very passionate about.

A vast majority of employees find themselves somewhere on the spectrum for anxiety, depression and mental illness. The best way to address such issues is to focus on training everyday citizens to be the first responders for people-at-risk and intervene so that a ‘safe-for-now’ outcome is achieved. When a workplace is educated to advocate for those at risk, they are able get them to the proper support, prevention and postvention professionals. People stop falling through the cracks.

While Demetre has extensive experience with all aspects of course and workshop design for entrepreneurship, communications, employment coaching, business computing and mental wellness, he is also experienced helping new and small businesses survive and grow through the difficult and vulnerable early stages of development. Promoting psychological health and safety is at the heart of his training efforts.

We hope to see you there!