Workplace Mental Health: Support & Resources

The Federation is committed to strengthening and supporting our members and their staff teams. These resources and workshops on a range of rotating topics (offered free of charge to Federation members) are part of an effort help to address the long-standing and increasing challenge facing our sector.

This work is made possible by a partnership with the British Columbia Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association. We are very proud of this relationship and the benefits it is providing to BC’s social services sector.

Rear view of man with raised hand on group therapy in medical center.

New Workshop

Beating the Winter Blues: Proven Coping Strategies

The winter blues are a wave of low emotions that come with the cold dark days of the fall and winter months. Some people experience symptoms from October which can last until April. This workshop will explore a behavioral perspective on how to cope with the winter blues so participants can find the motivation and understanding to not only survive the winter months but thrive and embrace the unique opportunities that this season brings.

More details...

Over the course of this 75-minute workshop, participants will:

– Learn the difference between the winter blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder
– Explore the connection between thoughts feelings and behavior and how it applies to the winter blues.
– Examine their own behavioral patterns during the winter months in comparison to other parts of the year.
– Explore what behavior activation and activity monitoring/scheduling are and how they can be used to feel better.
– Link actions with values to make activities fun, meaningful, and sustainable.
– Create a behavioral plan based on personal values, interests, and activities that increase enjoyment.

Participants will also have opportunities to discuss, learn from each other, and share examples of what works for them regarding the winter blues.

This workshop is for anyone who is interested in Seasonal Affective Disorder, The Winter Blues, and Depression. This workshop is also for anyone who wants to learn about how to improve their general mood or be more connected with their mood, values, and behaviour throughout the day.

Meet the Learning Coach

Suncha Baptiste is the Manager of Education at the Federation, Learning Coach with CMHA BC, and a Registered Clinical Counsellor. In on her roles, Suncha provides education, training and support on psychological health and safety to community social services organizations. She has experience in mental health counselling, teaching, and youth working.

She is originally from Saint-Lucia, a small island in the Caribbean. She is currently based in Burnaby, BC and spends most of her free time enjoying the great outdoors.

Workshops

Strategies for Dealing with Stress & Burnout

This custom-built workshop explored strategies for dealing with stress that help prevent job-related burnout for those working in the social services sector. It also examined behavioural and cognitive methods of coping with stress to help bring the body back to a baseline after a stressful event.

Participants learned about different types of stress and what that would look like for them, looked at the stress cycle and what it means to complete it, explored evidence-based methods of coping with stress and reflect on which ones resonate with them, talked about collective care and how it can be an important part of completing the stress cycle, and learned ways to reduce the negative effects of unhelpful thoughts.

Participants also engaged with the topic, the instructor, and other participants by sharing their own experiences with stress and burnout and discussed how they could personalize and customize stress-reducing practices in their lives.

Coping with Anxiety at Work

This workshop will explore what anxiety is, how it happens in the brain, the thoughts commonly related to it, and strategies on how to manage it. Participants will also examine some of the activators of anxiety at work.

Over the course of this one-hour workshop, participants will:

Learn the process of how anxiety happens in the brain.
Differentiate between anxiety, fear and stress.
Learn the differences between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder.
Examine the common cognitive distortions associated with anxiety.
Learn about anxiety and the cognitive model linking thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Make a link between anxiety and avoidance behaviours.
Examine coping strategies such as cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, and acceptance.

Participants will also have opportunities to engage with the topic, the instructor, and other participants by sharing their own experiences with anxiety at work and its common triggers. Moreover, participants will have a chance to practice a mindfulness technique during the workshop.

This workshop has been created for anyone who has the desire to learn more about anxiety in general. It is also for any Federation members who are looking for ways of coping with anxiety at work and in life.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

Strategies for Coping with Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is described as a condition in which people believe they are not worthy of success and have a persistent belief in their lack of intelligence, skills, or competence. Some have described it as “feeling like a fraud who attained success through luck and will eventually be found out.”

This workshop will explore what Imposter syndrome is, the distinct types and practical strategies for coping with imposter syndrome and self doubt.

Over the course of this 75-minute workshop, participants will

Learn how to recognize imposter syndrome in yourself and your colleagues.
Learn how avoidance and overworking are linked to imposter syndrome.
Examine some stories we may tell ourselves that can perpetuate self-doubt.
Learn how to use self compassion to combat imposter syndrome and self-doubt.
Discuss how to redefine failure.
Discover strategies for coping with imposter syndrome.

Participants will also have opportunities to discuss their own experiences with imposter syndrome and how it is triggered.

This workshop is for anyone who is interested in Imposter Syndrome or who has experienced feeling like an imposter at some point in their lives. It is also for any Federation member who are interested in discovering ways of dealing with imposter syndrome and the unhelpful thoughts and feelings that accompanies it.

Upcoming Workshop Dates & Times

Beating the Winter Blues: Proven Coping Strategies

Tuesday, November 28th, 2023
11:00 AM to 12:15 PM
Online: Zoom

Cost

Free for Federation members

Contact

Contact info@fcssbc.ca with questions or concerns about your registration.

Capacity

Each workshop is limited to 30 participants. No more than 12 participants from one organization can register for the same workshop.

Partners

Workshop Registration Forms

Beating the Winter Blues: Proven Coping Strategies November 28th, 2023

This workshop is now full. Please register for a different offering or contact suncha@fcssbc.ca to inquire about future sessions.

Workplace Mental Health: Support & Resources

New Workshop

Beating the Winter Blues: Proven Coping Strategies

Meet the Learning Coach

Workshops

Strategies for Coping with Imposter Syndrome

Upcoming Workshop Dates & Times

Beating the Winter Blues: Proven Coping Strategies

Cost

Contact

Capacity

Partners

Workshop Registration Forms

Contact Info

Reconciliation

Resources

About The Federation