b'MENTAL HEALTHreduced recruitment costs and makes it far easier to maintain consistency of care. When team members feel seen and supported, she added, they are more likely to stay, collaborate and provide safer care, a win for workers, residents and organizations alike.Move beyond the stigma One of the most significant benefits of mental health training is its role in confronting stigma and longstanding misconceptions. Only when long-term care teams truly understand the mental Prioritizing mentalhealth challenges they face can they begin to create workplaces where those challenges are acknowledged and health training supported, rather than hidden out of fear of being perceived as weakor incapable.Strengthen retention, reduce stigma,Mental health stigma manifests in and build resilience several forms, said Major. Personal stigma is driven by negative self-beliefs By Matthew Bradford and internalized judgements that lead to persistent feelings of guilt and shame. I n todays long-term care, mentalpublic, work stress in long-term careSystemic stigma occurs when policies, laws or institutional practices, often health training is more than a nicecan become normalized as part ofunintentionally, result in discrimination to have. Equipping teams withthe job, Major said.that limits access to rights or the resources to both understandopportunities. Stigma is also shaped and and address mental health challengesLeft unaddressed, these stressors canreinforced by broader societal attitudes is essential for strengthening teams,leave long-term care professionalsand stereotypes.reducing stigma, and improving drained of the energy, emotional care outcomes. capacity, and motivation needed toMunshaw pointed to the powerful bring their full selves to their work. role media plays in shaping these At OLTCAs 2025 This is Long Termperceptions. Whether it be TV and Care conference, members ofBrie Munshaw, Quality andmovies, video games or social media, Responsive Health Management andAccreditation Coordinator withits really important to realize that, for the Responsive Group shared theirResponsive Health Management,the most part, these virtual realities experience and advice on mentalis another mental health trainertypically show the most extreme health training for long-term who works alongside Major. Sheversions of mental health conditions, care teams.emphasized the value of being ableshe said. They almost always fail to to identify symptoms early and to Make it a priority engage in meaningful exercises andeducate viewers on the wide range that There are many reasons why mentaleach condition can span, or even the conversations while on the job, beforepositive side of recovery. This in itself health training deserves greatera situation escalates into crisis. contributes heavily to the stigmas being priority in health care, said Sydneycreated and unfortunately absorbed by Major, Web Coordinator at ResponsiveIts helpful in those moments to Group Inc. and a mental health trainer. have those conversation tools readyso many people in society.so you can dig into how you feelMental health training helps bring these Mental health training equips teamswith your peers and start reversingstigmas into the open, challenging with practical tools and strategies tothose negative effects, Munshawassumptions and clearing the way for manage sources and symptoms ofexplained. By normalizing these kindsgenuine, empathetic support.mental stress before they accumulateof conversations, mental health and ripple negatively into both workbecomes part of everyday work, not and home life. Whether it is a heavyBuilding resilience workload, the complex emotionsan emergency-only topic. Resilience is commonly defined as associated with end-of-life care,Perhaps most importantly, mentaladapting well in the face of adversity, caring for residents with challenginghealth education strengthenstrauma or stress. In simple terms, behavioural expressions, or theretention in a workforce that is alreadyMunshaw described it as the ability to pressure of constant scrutiny fromstretched thin. As Major noted,bounce back from difficult experiences regulators, family members, and theRetaining our workforce results inand situations.48 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2026'