Mentally Resilient Workforce

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The problem leadership can no longer ignore

"Mental health issues have reached alarming levels, affecting a significant portion of our workforce. In the 2022 Sapiens Mental State of the World Report, South Africa received the lowest rating for mental well-being.

As per the Gallup 2023 State of the Global Workforce:

Only 23% of employees are thriving at work, while
59% experience psychological disconnection (commonly known as 'quiet quitting'), where they may physically be present but are mostly watching the clock, often due to anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Another 17% are 'loud quitting,' actively taking steps to harm the organization and undermine its leadership.

The UKG Global Survey 2023, titled 'Manager Impact on Mental Health,' highlighted that managers have a substantial impact on employees' mental health, equivalent to that of their spouses (69%), surpassing even the influence of their doctors (51%). Surprisingly, 60% of employees and 71% of managers expressed willingness to accept a lower salary for a job that prioritizes their mental well-being.

Local estimates suggest that the untreated anxiety and depression prevalent in the South African workforce, leading to absenteeism and quiet quitting, costs the nation's economy between R 150 to 170 billion annually. The World Health Organization (WHO), even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, estimated that for every $1 invested in corporate mental health resilience programs, there is a $4 increase in productivity."

Mental health is a major source of disease burden

In South Africa it is the leading cause of disease burden even higher than HIV/AIDS
In the 2022 Sapiens Mental State of the World Report, South Africa received the lowest rating for mental well-being.

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As per the Gallup 2023 State of the Global Workforce

Only 23% of employees are thriving at work, while
59% experience psychological disconnection (commonly known as 'quiet quitting'), where they may physically be present but are mostly watching the clock, often due to anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Another 18% are 'loud quitting,' actively taking steps to harm the organization and undermine its leadership.

The UKG Global Survey 2023, titled 'Manager Impact on Mental Health,' highlighted that managers have a substantial impact on employees' mental health, equivalent to that of their spouses (69%), surpassing even the influence of their doctors (51%). Surprisingly, 60% of employees and 71% of managers expressed willingness to accept a lower salary for a job that prioritizes their mental well-being.
Local estimates suggest that the untreated anxiety and depression prevalent in the South African workforce, leading to absenteeism and quiet quitting, costs the nation's economy 210 billion annually

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Key Benefits of attending this course

This program is a game-changer that will revolutionize the way you and your company operate. You will emerge with enhanced abilities to confront one of your organization's most formidable strategic challenges: the creation of a mentally resilient workforce. You'll be equipped to lead company initiatives on mental well-being with unwavering confidence and possess the knowledge to craft groundbreaking solutions that will elevate productivity and performance across all levels, establishing you as a pivotal leader within your company."

Why FPD is Uniquely Qualified to Train Your Managers

The Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) boasts an impressive 25-year history of strengthening health systems, which has included providing support to over 1 million people living with AIDS and addressing complex public health issues such as gender-based violence. Since 2019, our focus has been dedicated to bolstering mental health systems. Drawing from our extensive work in the field of AIDS, we have cultivated a profound contextual understanding of the mental health crisis. Historically shrouded in stigma, self-stigma, discrimination, and limited access, this issue has inflicted immense human suffering and substantial economic hardship. Our ambitious mission seeks to make mental health care universally accessible, while normalizing conversations around mental health and well-being.

This endeavour has rallied a potent coalition of policymakers, scientists, individuals with lived experience, implementers, activists, and civil society under the banner of 'Masiviwe' - meaning 'let's be heard' (www.masiviwe.org.za). We convened at the 1st South African Mental Health Conference (www.mentalhealthconference.co.za), and through collaboration with the government, we've already instigated significant policy changes, transitioning mental health care from a hospicentric model to a primary care and community-based approach.

Our impact extends beyond national borders. During the COVID-19 crisis, FPD took the lead in championing the mental well-being of healthcare professionals. We reached out by offering free online mental health resilience training across Africa, benefiting more than 5500 healthcare professionals.

As our understanding of the profound impact of the mental health pandemic on South Africa continues to evolve, we've come to recognize the urgent need for workplace intervention. This stems from an awareness of the significant influence that the workplace exerts on individuals, their families, and communities. What we've also discovered is that this area is often overlooked or ignored by managers, who tend to delegate this responsibility to their occupational health services, employee assistance programs, or medical insurance. In most cases, these services are activated only after the damage has already been done, resulting in substantial talent and productivity losses for companies."

Why it is worth investing in employee mental well being

The World Health Organization (WHO), even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, estimated that for every $1 invested in corporate mental health resilience programs, there is a $4 increase in productivity."

Duration

The full course is 2 days and will take approximately 11 hours in total to complete. An abridged version of the course is available for a one-day contact session of approximately 6 ½ hours (excluding breaks).

Certification

FPD will award successful participants with a certificate of completion upon completion

Course Dates

Place	Date	Price
Pretoria	15-16 Feb 24	R7 500.00
Johannesburg	04-05 Mar 24	R7 500.00
Cape Town	22-23 Apr 24	R7 500.00

Key topics - What you will learn

The key role that managers play in creating psychological safety, promoting mental health wellbeing and a resilient workforce. In this process you will:

Improve your mental health literacy skills.
Confront your own stigma and biases.
Appreciate impact of the workplace on mental wellbeing.
Develop personal strategies for starting conversations with colleagues and subordinates with potential mental health issues.
Analyze the role and limitation of managers in supporting employee mental wellbeing.
Explore the limitations of current health system and employee assistance programmes.
Analyze the structural workplace factors that contribute to burnout.
Construct a plan, based on the WHO 2022 Guidelines on mental health at work, to foster mental well-being and promote mental health resilience at work.
Appreciate the complex legal requirements around accommodation people with chronic MH conditions at work.
Explore your own personal mental wellbeing and strategies for personal selfcare.
Be Introduced to the extensive network of civil society psychosocial support services available for employees.

Course Design

FPD Business School stands as Africa's sole dedicated Health Business School, benefiting from 25 years of expertise in health systems education, system strengthening, and implementation science research. Leveraging FPD's extensive work in mental health since 2019, we have harnessed our profound contextual knowledge, particularly in response to the post-COVID acceleration of the mental health crisis. This has led us to craft a cutting-edge course aimed at empowering organizational leadership to not only to comprehend the intricacies of addressing employees in need but also to create a culture of mental well-being, fostering a truly resilient workforce.

This in-person course spans two dynamic days, meticulously designed to be profoundly interactive. It features case studies, collaborative group work, and a spectrum of engaging activities, fostering a highly participative adult learning environment."

Meet the Faculty

Dr. Gustaaf Wolvaardt is the visionary CEO and founder of FPD. He brings to the table a wealth of experience and expertise. Dr. Wolvaardt is not only an internal medicine specialist but also holds postgraduate qualifications in higher education and management.

Prior to his journey with FPD, he made significant contributions to academia. Subsequently, he took on the pivotal role of being the first South African Health Attaché in Geneva, tasked with the important mission of normalizing South Africa's international health relations. During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in declaring violence as an international public health priority and played a key role in the establishment of UNAIDS.

Dr. Wolvaardt's dedication to the cause of healthcare extends to his involvement in the battle to make AIDS treatment accessible to all South Africans. He is committed to professionalizing health management and ensuring quality education for all Africans.

In recent years, he has turned his attention to the pressing issue of mental health, recognizing it as one of the most neglected public health crises in South Africa. Dr. Wolvaardt is actively engaged in various national and international advisory structures, contributing his expertise to shape healthcare policy and practice. His impact is evident as he has been recognized as one of the most influential health leaders in South Africa.

Sheila Lynn Senkubuge, Managing Director of Latissimus Health, with a background in Communication Pathology from the University of Pretoria, started her career as a Speech Language Therapist in South African public healthcare. Witnessing social inequalities firsthand, she realized the need to influence decision-making at a higher level. This led her to become a member of the mayoral committee in Tshwane, South Africa's capital, where she made historic changes, such as resolving conflicts among taxi associations, introducing free bus services for unemployed youth, and implementing cashless payment for city buses. Recognized as the most influential woman in local government in the SADC region, Sheila also received leadership awards at the national and local levels.

Sheila Lynn holds an MBA in International Relations and Diplomacy and is pursuing a PhD in Leadership and Security Studies. As a member of her local Rotary club, she collaborates with grassroots organizations to promote basic education and literacy for underprivileged children. Sheila is deeply passionate about increasing women's participation in African politics. She believes that more women in public office will inspire others, and that mentorship and support from experienced women are key to this transformation. She envisions a future where women in leadership is no longer an anomaly, and women continue to support and empower each other on this journey.

Who Should Attend

Mental well-being in the corporate world is a collective concern. This program is specifically tailored for a wide range of business leaders, including board members, CEOs, executive management, heads of business units, and senior members of the operating groups, making it an ideal opportunity for all of them."

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