This informal CPD article ‘Using the CALMER framework: Fostering positive mental health at work’, was provided by British Red Cross, a volunteer-led movement that connects those who have kindness to share, with the people who need it most.
More than 775,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2023/24.[1] With 16.4 million working days lost to mental health-related absence, prioritising employee wellbeing is crucial for organisations to reduce absenteeism, improve productivity and avoid high staff turnover. While work is being done across the UK to provide teams with the skills and knowledge to support someone experiencing a mental health crisis, a reactive approach is not always the most effective solution.
Taking an alternative approach to mental health in the workplace
In 2024, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) updated its guidance around mental health provision to encourage organisations to introduce the inclusion of mental health considerations within first aid needs assessments and to identify additional training requirements.[2] Put simply, it’s crucial to treat mental health in the workplace as you would first aid within your organisation, and plan the training you require accordingly.
Organisations of all shapes and sizes can reap the benefits of taking a proactive and preventative approach to mental health at work. Rather than reacting to an employee experiencing a crisis or period of poor mental health, putting continuous measures in place to build a positive work environment can have a significant impact on employee wellbeing. This approach gives directors, managers and team members the tools to collectively build a culture of resilience, challenge stigma around poor mental health, and ultimately foster individual wellbeing to spot signs and symptoms before they develop into anything more serious.
To equip organisations with the skills, confidence, and techniques to support mental health in the workplace, choosing training that incorporates certain frameworks can be valuable.
Using frameworks like CALMER to foster positive mental health at work
Positive wellbeing at work means every team member feels able to cope well with everyday situations, and able to adapt to challenging or difficult events which may come their way. The CALMER framework is a process which can be applied to any situation, including those in the workplace. It enables people to feel more in control and take proactive steps to adapt and be resilient.
Understanding the CALMER framework
Each letter of the CALMER framework represents a step to help support yourself or others with an emotionally challenging situation.
Consider
Consider the situation, those involved, and the surrounding environment. This step encourages individuals to take a moment to focus on what is going on, address immediate safety issues, and prioritise the individual who requires support.
Acknowledge
By acknowledging the situation, people can look to work through it. We can be tempted to ignore issues in the hope they will disappear. By facing them and acknowledging the challenge to ourselves or with someone else, we can begin to understand what will help.
Listen
To fully understand, we should not make assumptions, we should listen to those involved. People have different perspectives, life experiences and personalities. All of these affect the impact a situation has on our emotions and reactions.
Manage
This is the pulling together stage, checking if there is anything else they/you need/want to tell you/them, making sure you have understood correctly before moving on to what might help. It may also be the time to recognise that you are not the right person to help. Your own personal wellbeing or professional boundaries may affect what you can and can’t do to support.
Enable
People recover more quickly if they feel able to regain some control. Enabling people means providing information and options so that they regain a sense of predictability and power and participate in their own recovery. Encourage decision making by providing relevant information and enabling choice which makes them feel empowered. Encourage them to think about options and to make their own choices about what they want to happen. Reflecting on past experiences where they have dealt positively with a difficult situation may help them remember strategies and coping mechanisms that worked then that they could use now.
Resource
Sharing information and exploring options will encourage the person being helped to think about what is available and talk about the pros and cons of each option. You may signpost and assist them to contact other sources of support. Basic requirements such as transport to get home, access to telephone numbers, and Wi-Fi access can be overlooked but may be all that is needed to enable someone to deal with their difficulties.
Conclusion
The CALMER framework not only enables people to adapt during difficult times, but it also equips them with skills to take a proactive and preventative approach to mental health at work. By recognising stress and emotional difficulties early, implementing frameworks can provide support before the situation develops into a more serious mental health issue. Choosing mental health training which includes preventative tools in its course content can be crucial in building a positive attitude around mental health at work.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from British Red Cross, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
REFERENCES
[1] https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/assets/docs/hssh2324.pdf
[2] https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l74.htm
