A2: Integrating Mental Health Awareness Trainings Into Workplace Safety Culture
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, OHSU
Portland, OR
Mon, 6/1: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Education Sessions
Education Sessions
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center
Room: 393
CM Credit Hours: 1
Description
Mental health is now a core workplace safety concern, with 44% of U.S. workers reporting burnout (Society for Human Resource Management) and 76% experiencing at least one symptom of a mental health condition (US Dept of Health and Human Services). With five generations in today's workforce, a one-size-fits-all approach falls short-organizations need tailored, evidence-based strategies to effectively support employee well-being.
Creating a mentally healthy workplace requires more than good intentions-it demands structure, strategy, and measurable outcomes. Just as a strong foundation supports a safe building, workplace policies and culture provide the framework for mental health. Evidence-based trainings such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) act as proven interventions, endorsed by SAMHSA and aligned with OSHA and NIOSH guidance, equipping employees with practical tools to recognize warning signs, intervene early, and connect peers to support.
This presentation advances Total Worker Health® by emphasizing the integration of mental health into workplace safety and well-being strategy. It highlights how trainings reduce stigma, improve intervention skills, and foster a culture of care. Attendees will learn to embed these trainings within workplace policies, use data to measure their impact, and identify or become facilitators to sustain ongoing support.
Creating a mentally healthy workplace requires more than good intentions-it demands structure, strategy, and measurable outcomes. Just as a strong foundation supports a safe building, workplace policies and culture provide the framework for mental health. Evidence-based trainings such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) act as proven interventions, endorsed by SAMHSA and aligned with OSHA and NIOSH guidance, equipping employees with practical tools to recognize warning signs, intervene early, and connect peers to support.
This presentation advances Total Worker Health® by emphasizing the integration of mental health into workplace safety and well-being strategy. It highlights how trainings reduce stigma, improve intervention skills, and foster a culture of care. Attendees will learn to embed these trainings within workplace policies, use data to measure their impact, and identify or become facilitators to sustain ongoing support.
Learning Outcomes
•Describe how workplace safety culture and policies provide the foundation for effective mental health initiatives.
•Review outcome data demonstrating the impact of MHFA and QPR trainings on safety culture and intervention skills.
•Identify implementation strategies to integrate and sustain mental health trainings within workplace safety programs.
•Review outcome data demonstrating the impact of MHFA and QPR trainings on safety culture and intervention skills.
•Identify implementation strategies to integrate and sustain mental health trainings within workplace safety programs.
Content Level
Introductory
Core Competencies
Psychosocial hazards
Safety
Total Worker Health ®
Keywords
Education and training
Safety
Session Availability
In-person
OnDemand
Targeted Audience
Practitioner
Transfer of Knowledge
Case Studies
Practical Application
Small Group Discussion