Tools to Talk is a series of quarterly events focused on raising awareness about mental health and practical solutions to enhance the wellbeing and culture in the construction and related sectors. Inspiring guest speakers share their experiences, knowledge, and tools on important industry topics, normalising conversations around mental health and promoting positive work environments and thriving teams.
At the September Tools to Talk we heard an insightful talk from Trevor Hone on Growth and Resilience, alongside resident Building Wellness Taranaki supporter, Clinical Psychologist, Matthew Manderson. Also featuring a special talk from Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health.
A few key points from the September session include:
- We can build self-awareness by asking ourselves the question of “is this behaviour helpful of harmful?” and adjust accordingly.
- Resiliency is not about being bullet-proof, it is about finding robust strategies that work for you, helping you to navigate through the difficult times.
- Matthew Manderson’s Burger theory; “Generally, there are key ingredients vital for our well-being, in order to feel good, function well and bounce back”. Often, we have our own combination of key ingredients that are important for our own functioning. We should check-in now and then to see if those ingredients are balanced and add in what is needed in order for us to feel our best.
- The best thing we can do to support our mental health is build a strong foundation by getting proper sleep, adequate nutrients and regular exercise.
- The way we communicate can have a ripple on affect to at least three others. This includes the impact made by positive and negative communication.
- Our thoughts control our life and we are wired to think negatively as a survival mechanism. We must be intentional about looking for the good things in our lives. By doing this, it can have a profound impact on our mood and improve our relationships with others.
INDUSTRY EVENTS – Building Wellness
