b'MENTAL HEALTHThrough mental health training, long- on mental health, but also on thealready overwhelmed teams. Nor is it term care professionals gain bothimportance of empathy and puttingabout diverting resources from other insight and practical tools to helpyourself in other shoes. essential education, Munshaw and build and sustain resilience in theirMajor stressed. Rather, prioritizing roles. The goal is not to eliminateTogether with tools such as themental health training, in whatever stress, which is unrealistic in suchMental Health Continuum, Theform it takes, is about giving long-term a demanding sector, but rather toWorking Mind is one example of thecare workers the language, tools and provide easy, repeatable strategiesmany available resources that canpermission to care for themselves that help team members cope morehelp foster supportive environments,with the same commitment they effectively. These strategies strengthen resilience, and improveshow to caring for others.LTCToften include: retention in long-term care settings.Deep breathing: Resetting theEssential training Matthew Bradford is a freelancenervous system through controlledMental health training is not aboutwriter with Long Term Care Today. breathing cycles adding yet another responsibility to Positive self-talk: Identifying and challenging negativethinking patterns The OLTCAMental rehearsal: VisualizingThe OLTCA possible outcomes to prepare forretirement savings planstressful situations retirement savings planGoal setting: Breaking challengesLow cost. Low admin. Flexible.Low cost. Low admin. Flexible.into manageable, short-term steps AsignificantbenefitofOLTCAmembershipisaccessingtheOLTCAretirementsavingsplan,Asignificiannctlubdeinnegfiato b nrdsmhiporise!aIctcseassloinwg-cthoestOpLlaTnCAthraettiisrefmlexeinbltesaavnidngresqpulairne,slowadmin.pfeOnsLiToCn,ARmReSmPaeMental health training alsoincludingapension,RRSPandmore!Itsalow-costplanthatisflexibleandrequireslowadmin.emphasizes the importance of self-care. We cannot expect to be at our own personal best and supportingEstablished 88 3,500our teams when we ourselves areEstablished $115m+ 88 3,500not taking care of ourselves, said1989 $115m+ homes membersMunshaw. She noted that examples1989 homes membersshared during training sessions included karaoke nights, running, meditation, painting, gardening, buffets with friends, crochetingEach home can decide the structure of the plan.emotional support squiggles. It1 home can decide the structure of the plan. andchooseEachdoesnt have to be fancy or expensive;1 Each Eachhomecanchoosehowmuchtocontributeonbehalfofemployees optionshomfreomcadnifcfehroeonsteahcocwoumntutchts pFloSyAe.esandchooseype o:cDoCntPrPib,uRteRoSnP,baenhdalefvoefnemaTit just has to fill your cup. fromdifferentaccounttypes:DCPP,RRSP,andevenaTFSA.TheprogramthroughManulifeprovidesmembersworld-classinvestmentAvailable supportsTheprogwraitmh th M roevsidienstmheeimndbuesrtsryw. orld-classinvestmentoptionssormouegohftheanlouwlifeesptfeLong-term care homes do not havewithsomeofthelowestfeesintheindustry.to go it alone when implementing mental health supports. A range of Support.external programs and resources can2 TheOLTCAPensionPlanBoardofTrusteeshandlesgovernanceandinvestmentSupport.provide a strong foundation. One2 TheOLTCmAoPnietonrsiinognoPnlabneBhaolafrodf o A theplan.Youll nanceandinvestment receiveefaTchruhsotemees.hAadnmdlienssgtaofvfearteachhomeandmemberssuch example is The Working Mind,monitorinhgigohn-qbeahlityalfsoufpepaocrhthfroommeo. urdmcoinnssutlataffnattseaancdhMhoamnueliafen.dWmeehmavbeedrsedrieccaeteivdecontactsun emopulrocyeoenssutoltamnatsnaagnedtMheanpulalinfeYWouelhlnveevedrebdeicaaltoendectoonstaoclvtsean evidence-based mental healthhigh-quafloitryhsoumppeosratfrdom a aproblem.training program developed by theforhomesandemployeestomanage neverbealonetosolveaproblem.Mental Health Commission of Canada to reduce stigma, build resilience, and Wanttoknowmore?foster supportive workplaces. 3 toknowmore? toanOLTCAboardmemberorcontact: Group,WantMunshaw and Major are among a3 Tolearn Tolearnmore,speak b ClientRelation o Consulting Manulife,Jaocqe,uelynm r slpeaWkatrodaenn,OGLrToCuApRoeatirrdemmeenmtbCeornosrucltoanntta,cLte:sliegrowing number of long-term careJacquelyjnacWqauredlyenn@,GrsoluiepgRroeutipre.cmomenotrCLoinssauHltiacnkte,yL,eCslliieenCtRneslautlitoinngMGarnoaugpe,r,leprofessionals who have completedjacquelynli@sal_ehsliicekgeryo@upm.caonmuliofer.Lcais.aHickey, Manager,Manulife,the programs five-day facilitatorlisa_hickey@manulife.ca.training, funded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and are now helping to bring the program into the broader sector. As Major explained, The Working Mind significantly broadens your perspective, not only www.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 49'