Mental Health Skills for Citizens Advice Managers
Course now delivered - register your interest for the next cohort.
From 2018 to 2023, I was the Chief Executive at Citizens Advice Wokingham – a journey showing the emotional challenges facing our teams, and our managers. I witnessed firsthand the critical need for - and benefit of - robust mental health support and communication strategies in high-stress, emotionally demanding roles.
Through the peer support group work, we established weekly calls for Chief Execs across the network and supported with many challenges.
I continue to work with many LCAs across England & Wales on Mental Health First Aid training and the popular Suicide Awareness & Prevention Workshop for your advisers and supervisors.
Now I'm reaching out with an offer to support you and your leaders with managing and supporting your teams, focussed on mental health - with some added conflict resolution tips around communication.
Received in November 2020 - the Excellence in Leadership award at Citizens Advice annual conference
Why This Course Matters
Supporting your team’s mental health is not just a nice-to-have – it’s a core leadership skill. In a recent survey, 46% of employees said they feel uncomfortable discussing mental health with their managertheworkersunion.com.
At the same time, over half (57%) felt that managers would benefit from more training to support staff well-beingtheworkersunion.com. This course helps close that gap.
By building your confidence and knowledge, you can:
Show real leadership and empathy: When you proactively support mental health, your team members are more likely to thrive and stay with the organisationmhfaengland.org. You’ll promote a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture where people feel safe to open up.
Handle issues early and effectively: Spotting signs of distress and addressing them early can prevent problems from escalating. You’ll help your team stay productive and resilient, and avoid the costs of burnout or prolonged absences.
Be the manager your team needs: Many managers care but feel unsure how to help – this training gives you the confidence to act. You’ll come away equipped to make a positive difference when it matters most.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the Mental Health Skills for Managers course, you will know how to:
Identify signs of a mental health issue in a team member early on, and understand how common conditions (like anxiety or depression) might present at work.
Have open, supportive conversations about mental health with your staff. Learn exactly what to say (and what not to say) to encourage someone to talk, using proven communication techniques and active listening skills.
Manage difficult conversations with confidence and empathy. Whether it’s a sensitive one-to-one about performance and well-being or supporting someone returning from sick leave, you’ll practise ways to handle these tough talks constructively.
Signpost colleagues to the right support. Know how and where to guide your team members if they need professional help or additional resources, and understand your boundaries as a manager (you’re not expected to be a therapist!).
Look after your own mental well-being as a leader. Learn self-care strategies and how to model healthy working habits, so you can support others without burning out yourself.
Balance support with team performance. Get tips on how to maintain productivity and fairness while making reasonable adjustments for those who are struggling, ensuring both the individual and team can succeed together.
These skills are practical and immediately applicable – you can start using them in your very next one-to-one or team meeting.
