APM event hosted by the Scotland Branch on 25 January 2024. Speakers: Chris Drysdale and Pete Huggett An interactive session discussing how Project Managers can identify mental health symptoms, provide tools to help themselves and others, plus also increase the capabilities of the Project Management function. This event was held on 25 January 2024 in Edinburgh. The covid-19 pandemic led to concerns about a worsening of mental health & wellbeing across the world and increased awareness in both society and the workplace. This event looked to advise the benefits of having a Mental Health First Aid function in the workplace whilst also provided tools and techniques that can be readily used and applied to yourself and colleagues. Additionally, there are wider benefits to Project Management which will be proposed and discussed.

1. Including Mental Health
Support in Project Delivery
Chris Drysdale & Peter Huggett
25 January 2024| 18:30 – 21:30 BST
Apex Waterloo Place, Edinburgh

2. Opening Questions
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Q1 - How many of
you have the
provision of Mental
Health First Aiders in
your current
workplace?
Q2 - How many of
you understand the
term “Psychological
Safety”?
Q3 - What are the
signs?

3. Meeting Behaviours
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1. No Interruptions
• allow the current speaker to finish prior to beginning
• use the hand-up option in teams (if video call)
2. Leadership
• one person should be identified as meeting leader
• keep time, adhere to agenda, include all
participants, take notes, and referee (where
necessary) to ensure #1 is complied with
3. Agenda
• Set an agenda to allow all participants the
opportunity to prepare and contribute
4. Include all
• every attendee should be a participant
• every person should be asked for their
opinion(s)
• at the meeting’s end, summary on
what was discussed and the actions
5. Visibility
• all participants should be encouraged
to have their video camera on as this is
proven to improve participation

4. Agenda
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• Introductions & Aims
• Introducing Mental Health and Mental Health First Aiders
• Tools
• Silverstream Technologies – MHFA Strategy
• Mental Health First Aid and Project Management

5. Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved. Silverstream Technologies. Private & Confidential
5
Chris Drysdale
Head Of Project
Delivery
Introductions – Silverstream Technologies
Silverstream have developed a patented air lubrication system, which fundamentally changes the
interaction between water and a vessel. It shears air pumped to the ship’s hull to creating a uniform
carpet of microbubbles which coat the full flat bottom of a vessel. As a result, frictional resistance is
decreased – dramatically reducing fuel consumption and associated emissions.
Peter Huggett
Head of QHSE

6. Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved. Silverstream Technologies. Private & Confidential
Introductions – Silverstream Technologies
Silverstream have developed a patented air lubrication system, which fundamentally changes the
interaction between water and a vessel. It shears air pumped to the ship’s hull to creating a uniform
carpet of microbubbles which coat the full flat bottom of a vessel. As a result, frictional resistance is
decreased – dramatically reducing fuel consumption and associated emissions.

7. Aims of this session
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This session will not train anyone as
Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA)
It will introduce tools and techniques for
• Self-help
• Supporting friends, family and
colleagues
• Seeking appropriate professional
support and resources
• identifying indicators to maintain
positive mental wellbeing in yourself
and others
It will propose the benefits to Project
Management from having a Mental
Health First-Aid support network

8. Introducing Mental Health
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9. What is Mental Health?
Mental health impacts everyone!
• Mental health problems are common, and your mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood
and adolescence through adulthood.
• Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
• Affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make
choices.
• Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behaviour
could fluctuate according to your mental wellbeing.
• Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
• Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
• Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
• Family history of mental health problems
• Exercise and diet
• Social interaction – Covid-19
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10. Mental Health today
Covid-19 Pandemic
• Change in working patterns – social isolation
• Around a third of adults and young people said their mental health has got much worse
since March 2020.
• 88% of young people said loneliness made their mental health worse during the pandemic.
• Death by suicide being 11th leading cause of death in UK – Biggest killer for men under 45.
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11. Mental Health First Aiders
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What can a MHFA do in the workplace?
• Identify warning signs and reach out
• Provide support and develop action plans
• Signpost good behaviours or habits that can maintain or improve your
mental health, as well as habits that can negatively impact your mental
health
• Reducing stigma by promoting conversations and engagement on
Mental Health throughout a workplace and society
• Increase general morale & wellbeing, and ensure workforce feels the
company genuinely cares
What does a MHFA NOT do?
• Act as a professional therapist / medical practitioner

12. Mental Health First Aid – ALGEE Model
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A
L
G
E
E
pproach or A ssess
isten non-judgementally
ive support and information
ncourage professional help
ncourage additional support

13. Word Cloud
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14. Approach / Assess / Listen - What are the signs?
In Crisis
Struggling
Surviving
Thriving
• Disabling distress and loss of
function
• Panic attacks
• Nightmares or flashbacks
• Unable to fall or stay asleep
• Intrusive thoughts
• Thoughts of self-harm or
suicide
• Easily enraged or aggressive
• Careless mistakes and
inability to focus
• Feeling numb, lost or out of
control
• Withdrawal from relationships
• Dependence on substances,
food, or other numbing
activities
• Persistent fear, panic, anxiety,
anger, pervasive sadness,
hopelessness
• Exhaustion
• Poor performance and
difficulty making decisions or
concentrating
• Avoiding interaction with co-
workers, friends, and family
• Fatigue, aches, pains
• Restless, disturbed sleep
• Self-medicating with
substances, food, or other
numbing activities
• Nervousness, sadness,
increased mood fluctuations
• Inconsistent performance
• More easily overwhelmed or
irritated
• Increased need for control and
difficulty adjusting to change
• Trouble sleeping or eating
• Activities and relationships you
need to enjoy seem less
interesting or even stressful
• Muscle tension, low energy,
headaches
• Calm and steady
• Able to take things in stride
• Consistent performance
• Able to take feedback and
adjust to change
• Able to focus
• Able to communicate
effectively
• Normal sleep patterns
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15. • Does the individual need immediate professional
support?
• Are they presenting a danger to themselves or
anyone else?
• Can you remove them from a difficult situation or
environment?
• Are they having a panic attack?
• Everyone is different and what works for some,
may not work for others
• Be careful on labelling unhealthy coping
strategies
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Approach / Assess / Listen - Triage

16. Give Support and Information – Action Plans
WEST Action Plan
Walking
Are you exercising? Proven to generate endorphins and make
you feel better about yourself.
Eating
Eating a well-balanced diet will support your wellbeing and can
regulate mood-swings.
Sleeping
Ensuring you get enough sleep, switching off screens and
winding down before bedtime.
Talking
The biggest opportunity for improvement is to find someone to
talk with, you will be amazed at the impact!
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17. Encourage Professional Help and Additional Support
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18. Silverstream Technologies
MHFA Strategy
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19. Silverstream Technologies
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MHFA Strategy
Since January 2023 . . .
• Formed a team of Mental Health First Aiders and
Champions
• Formal training completed through MHFA England
• Senior Leadership sponsorship
• Anonymous Mental Health tracker
• Mental Health Awareness Week – bingo, walk-and-talk,
‘wear it green’
• Weekly communications on Health and Safety
• Regular catch-ups with the MHFA Team

20. Silverstream Technologies
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MHFA Strategy

21. Silverstream Technologies – Mental Health Awareness Week
Raise awareness of MHFA
function
and
Reduce stigma by talking
about MH
• Activity Bingo
• Coping Strategies SLIDO
• Round Table / Panel
highlights video
• Teams chat
• Lunch Walks
• “Wear It Green”
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MHFA Strategy

22. Mental Health First Aid and
Project Management
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23. Psychological Safety
What is the Safety Culture like in
your organisation?
Does your strategy include
psychological safety?
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Psychological safety means feeling safe to take
interpersonal risks, to speak up, to disagree openly, to surface
concerns without fear of negative repercussions or pressure to
sugarcoat bad news.
4 Stages to Psychological Safety:

24. Psychological Safety
What is the Safety Culture like in
your organisation?
Does your strategy include
psychological safety?
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Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

25. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
• Rebel Ideas - Matthew
Syed
• “Cognitive diversity”
• INCLUSION is the lever
to the wider ED&I piece
not box-ticking and
metrics.
• Psychological Safety =
INCLUSION
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26. APM Chartered Project Professional - Competencies
From reviewing the most recent guidelines
and requirements for ChPP, the following
competencies have assessment criteria
worth drawing out:
1. Conflict Resolution
2. Leadership
3. Team Management
Common themes:
• Support
• Respect
• Opinions
• Encourage
• Trust
• Collaborate
• Confidence
• Open Discussions
• Communication
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27. APM Chartered Project Professional - Competencies
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From reviewing the most recent guidelines
and requirements for ChPP, the following
competencies have assessment criteria
worth drawing out:
1. Conflict Resolution
2. Leadership
3. Team Management
Common themes:
• Support
• Respect
• Opinions
• Encourage
• Trust
• Collaborate
• Confidence
• Open Discussions
• Communication

28. APM Chartered Project Professional - Competencies
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From reviewing the most recent guidelines
and requirements for ChPP, the following
competencies have assessment criteria
worth drawing out:
1. Conflict Resolution
2. Leadership
3. Team Management
Common themes:
• Support
• Respect
• Opinions
• Encourage
• Trust
• Collaborate
• Confidence
• Open Discussions
• Communication

29. Psychological
Safety
Mental Health
First Aid
Equality,
Diversity &
Inclusion
Benefits to Project Professionals
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30. Psychological
Safety
Mental Health
First Aid
Equality,
Diversity &
Inclusion
Benefits to Project Professionals
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Wellbeing
(through better
team morale)

31. Psychological
Safety
Mental Health
First Aid
Equality,
Diversity &
Inclusion
Increased Project
Management
capability
(through better team
morale and skills
development)
Benefits to Project Professionals
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Wellbeing
(through better
team morale)

32. Opening Questions
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Q1 - How many of
you will now look to
introduce Mental
Health First Aiders in
your current
workplace?
Q2 - How many of
you now understand
the term
“Psychological
Safety”?
Q3 - How many of
you now feel that
MHFA & ED&I can
benefit Project
Management within
the workplace?

33. © 2024 Association for Project Management 33
Thank you