FREE Mental Health Micro Guide #3

How does bullying affect mental health?

Author

Ben Slater
July 20, 2024

Let’s get 1 million people trained by 2035

Welcome!

Thank you for joining us. It’s great that you’re here!

This issue is about bullying which affects loads of us and aims to provide you or a colleague, friend or loved one resources that:

  • are safe

  • are accessible

  • could lift a life

  • could save a life

As always, get in touch. Ask questions. Push. Nudge. Suggest.

Let’s “know better, do better”. Together.

There are 4 sections weekly:

  • The Question

  • The Time-Saver

  • The Checklist

  • The Pause Portal (A Beautiful Self-Care Tool)

Use them. Share them. Air them.

Right. Let’s go!.

The Question: How does bullying affect mental health?

Bullying affects so many of us

and yet we don’t even have a legal definition in the UK.

So here’s a 6 minute video guide to the effects of bullying in the workplace...

…how to spot it and how it adapts to the levels of safety in the workplace…

(fwd is aiming to have all video content accompanied with a descriptive transcript so that we can benefit from the wisdom and character of all who engage. The descriptive transcript can be found under the video in Youtube.)

The Time-Saver: Bullying

Save time with this One Click Wonder, all the key resources in one place - just one click away.

Open and save your own pdf version to keep and to share around the office - link under the image.

This is part of a series. Interested in versions you can print without emptying the printer cartridge? Or interested in versions with your company logo on? Get in touch.

The Checklist: spotting bullying in different contexts

As contexts and workplaces get psychologically safer, bullies can adapt.

Here’s a summary from the video above.

Stage

Key "test" of this stage.

Key 'message" of bullies at this stage.

Or you might also typically hear...

Inclusion Safety

Can I be my authentic self?

You don't belong here.

"We used to have a close-knit team before you came." "Lighten up. It's just banter."

Learner Safety

Can I grow?

You're slowing us down.

"This is more your speed." "If you're not willing to 'step up', then just let me know."

Contributor Safety

Can I create value?

You don't know what you're talking about.

"I'm not sure what you bring to the table." "Perhaps stay in your lane?"

Challenger Safety

Can I be candid about change?

You're making trouble.

"If you're so unhappy with the way we do things here, perhaps you should consider your options."

If we can spot bullying, we can challenge it too.

The Pause Portal: Self-Care Perspective Guide

From the red cliff tops above Budleigh Salterton, the sea pinks nestle against the wind. Below, the waves rattle the pebbles as they wash up and down the slope of the beach

Here is 90 seconds of that magic with a perspective exercise.

Steady your breathing, noticing each breath.

Notice the waves flowing from left to right.

All the pebbles you can hear were rocks and boulders once.

Worn by each wave.

Each wave doing something difficult to see but making a difference.

Until mighty cliffs become sand.

Take a moment to think.

What good things are taking time?

(It could be about building relationship, recovery after illness, breaking down a barrier or building a professional endeavour)

Say them out loud or note them in your mind, saying thank you for each small action that moves things on, however invisibly (an email, a phonecall, a purchase, an outing, a meeting etc).

Try it and see what difference it makes to you.

(fwd is aiming to have all video content accompanied with a descriptive transcript so that we can benefit from the wisdom and character of all who engage. The descriptive transcript can be found under the video in Youtube.)

Getting involved

Did someone forward this to you?

Jump on board here.

I would love to know what you thought of this Micro Guide.

Press the “Get in Touch” button on the website.

Mental Health First Aid and Refresher Courses now are open for booking in August - limited spaces available.

Get your tickets here.

That’s all for this week.

Until next week, let’s keep moving fwd…