Supportive Conversations in the roomMental Health › Supportive Conversations
Mental Health · for managers
Managers do not need to have all the answers, but they do need the confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling, start supportive conversations and know what to do next. Supportive Conversations is our practical five-hour course designed specifically for managers, team leaders and anyone responsible for supporting people at work.
Using realistic workplace scenarios, managers learn how to recognise the early signs of poor mental health, approach conversations with confidence, respond appropriately and signpost colleagues to the right support.
Nearly 70% of employees say their manager has as much impact on their mental health as their partner, yet fewer than 29% of organisations provide mental health training for line managers.
Course overview
Why organisations choose this course
Without the right skills, managers may avoid the conversation through fear of saying the wrong thing or worry about making things worse. Supportive Conversations gives them practical tools and language to recognise the signs, start conversations earlier and respond with empathy while understanding their role and its boundaries.
Rather than expecting managers to become mental health experts, this course helps them become confident, approachable leaders who know how to support their teams and signpost colleagues to the right help.
What makes it different
Unlike Mental Health First Aid, this course has been designed specifically for managers. It focuses on the everyday conversations managers have with their teams, helping them feel confident supporting colleagues while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Through practical activities, realistic scenarios and simple tools, managers leave with skills they can put into practice immediately.
Recognise when someone may be struggling before problems escalate.
Create a safe space for someone to talk and feel heard.
Offer reassurance and help someone feel supported in the moment.
Encourage access to appropriate professional support and resources.
Follow up to show continued care and encourage ongoing support.
Who it's for
In practice
The financial-services risk association ran Supportive Conversations for every manager, alongside Mental Health Awareness for all staff and qualified first aiders to signpost. Mental health is now a standing part of reviews and check-ins.
The impact
Confidence before and after, scored out of 10
Confidence opening conversations about mental health
Most participants moved from around 5 out of 10 before the course to between 8 and 10 afterwards.
Participants identified the Mental Health Spectrum and the Stress Curve as the most valuable practical tools for supporting colleagues.
What managers said
The course provided me with more knowledge and practical tools and gave me much more confidence in having conversations around mental health with my staff.”Citizen Housing Association
The course has made me much more confident to both start and have a conversation around somebody's wellbeing. I actually managed to put the techniques into action first thing the following morning with two of my team.”Taylor Maxwell
After the course
Supportive managers help create healthier teams, encourage earlier intervention and build workplaces where people feel able to ask for help before problems escalate. Whether you are looking to support new managers or strengthen an existing leadership team, we would love to help.
