In 1998 I was at my lowest point. My best mate had shot himself in the head a few months previously and thankfully had survived. I was getting divorced, losing my job and my house and had lost the ability to manage my emotional state. This had a hugely detrimental effect on my physical health as well and I was not a well man. I had decided to learn from my friend’s mistake and pushed the barrel of my pistol into my right eye socket to make sure I could not miss. Then the doorbell rang…
Now 26 years later, I am a very different person with a deeply ingrained skillset in emotional regulation and therefore highly emotionally resilient. This by no means negates me from making mistakes and sometimes allowing my emotions to get the better of me at times, I am still human. What I can do is recover myself much faster and with great ease.
In this time I have become a psychologist, studied psychotherapy along with a variety of other modalities and had the great fortune to work with some amazing businesses and people. I developed a process based around 3 core techniques that enable you to access at will, a state of mental and physical calm, for which the benefits across all aspects of life are enormous.
The research, development and testing of this process, and the teaching of it since 2010 has generated some great insights and feedback that have led to continuous refinement. Now having taught this to over 20,000 people, I have seen and heard the advanced benefits that it provides above and beyond what MHFA can provide. MHFA does a great job of increasing peoples awareness of someone who is struggling and where to signpost people to to get help, beyond that there is nothing.
How Emotional Regulation and Resilience Training Offers Greater Benefits Compared to Mental Health First Aid:
1. Understanding the Training Types
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA):
MHFA training is primarily focused on educating employees about mental health issues, enabling them to recognise, understand, and provide initial support (signposting and active listening) to others who may be developing a mental health issue or experiencing a crisis.
Emotional Regulation and Resilience/Psychological Resilience Training:
This training teaches employees how to manage their emotions effectively, develop coping strategies, and build resilience. It’s proactive, aiming to strengthen mental health before challenges arise.
2. Comparison of Impact
ROI (Return on Investment)
- MHFA: Primarily reactive, this training helps in crisis situations through awareness, which is crucial but doesn’t reduce the occurrence of mental health issues. The ROI is sometimes seen in improved workplace culture and potentially lower absenteeism from acute crises but does not significantly affect overall productivity. The training does not equip people to manage the content they may be exposed to, nor does it equip them with skills/techniques to actively help someone in a mental health crisis.
- Emotional Regulation and Resilience Training: By fostering resilience and emotional regulation, this training proactively improves daily functioning and productivity. Employees are better equipped, through learning emotional regulation techniques, to handle stress and recover from setbacks, leading to higher productivity, fewer days off due to stress-related issues, and potentially lower healthcare costs.
ROE (Return on Expectation)
- MHFA: The expectations are generally centred around improved mental health awareness and support. While it meets these expectations, its impact on day-to-day employee performance and long-term employee development is limited.
- Emotional Regulation and Resilience Training: Exceeds expectations by not only raising awareness but also by equipping employees with practical tools to handle stress and emotional challenges. This leads to an improved workplace environment, better teamwork, and enhanced employee satisfaction.
3. Long-term Benefits
- MHFA: Offers awareness of a crisis, where to signpost someone to and active listening, which is crucial for immediate support. However, its long-term impact on individual employee resilience is limited.
- Emotional Regulation and Resilience Training:
- Sustainability: Skills in emotional regulation and resilience lead to long-term improvements in mental health, reducing burnout rates and enhancing overall wellbeing.
- Scalability: These skills are universally applicable, helping not just at an individual level but improving interpersonal relationships and team dynamics.
- Enhanced Productivity: Employees with high resilience and emotional regulation tend to maintain or increase productivity under stress, contributing positively to business outcomes.
4. Conclusion: Why Emotional Regulation and Resilience Training Is Better for Businesses
Focusing on emotional regulation and resilience training in a business setting offers a more comprehensive and proactive approach to mental health. It not only helps in managing and mitigating immediate mental health issues but also builds a foundation for long-term mental wellness, leading to sustained employee engagement, lower turnover, and better adaptability to organisational changes. By investing in resilience training, businesses can expect a more robust ROI and ROE, as employees are not only supported in times of crisis but are also equipped to thrive in everyday challenges, boosting overall business performance and stability.
This as always is food for thought, to provide options and the information to make informed choices rather than following what others do regardless of whether there is any clear evidence to demonstrate any real efficacy for that choice.
So What Next?
Read more about Emotional & Psychological resilience here: https://simonmaryan.com/emotional-psychological-resilience/
Click on the link below for information about what the process is designed to do and the content of each course. From here you can choose the course that is right for you and get started on your journey to changing your future for the better today.
https://simon-maryan.thinkific.com/collections
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