Are your ESS OK?

A few years ago I attended a networking event in Geelong. The event was sponsored by beyondblue and the topic was Mentally Healthy Workplaces. We heard from local businesses and support services about the importance of having a mentally healthy workplace and how to make it happen.

The event was from 7am – 9am at a venue located at the end of Geelong’s pier. Picture this; I’m sipping coffee and eating a beautiful hot breakfast whilst looking out across the bay, watching yachts and the occasional bird fly casually in and out of view. What a way to start a day! Oh, and there are some 500+ other people there. I’m not one for big crowds, so you may think it was a bit too loud or overwhelming, but it wasn’t.

There’s something about a room full of people focused on creating mentally healthy workplaces that feel very, very calming.

I, too, am passionate about creating mentally healthy workplaces. VERY passionate. It’s the essence of why I started Just For Schools (JFS). JFS specialises in designing and delivering professional development programs for Education Support Staff (ESS) in schools large and small in Geelong and across Victoria.

How does professional development training help to create mentally healthy workplaces?

Excellent customer service requires ESS to understand and have skills in; body language, tone of voice, active listening, empathy, assertiveness, honesty, questioning, resilience, teamwork, behavioural styles and self awareness. We cover those topics and many more that, coincidentally, are what’s required to maintain a mentally healthy life.

Did you know? Mental Health costs Australian workplaces approximately $10.9 billion per year.

If you would like some more information regarding creating a mentally health workplace, go to beyondblue and/or Heads Up for loads of free information and resources that can help everyone in your workplace….AND

Contact Just For Schools. We can help you, help your ESS develop mentally healthy workplace habits.

Is your workplace OK? It costs nothing to talk.

By Cate Schreck – Director of Just For Schools