Wearing ONA t-shirts depicting the beautiful artwork we commissioned for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, ONA Local leaders, members, the Board of Directors and staff kick off ONA’s inaugural Leadership Mental Health Summit, an important week of education, connection, conversations and reflection.
Too often those who care for others don’t take the time needed to care for themselves.
And that can be especially true when it comes to mental health.
It was for that reason that ONA held a Leadership Mental Health Summit this past September in the picturesque town of Grand Bend. While a Leadership Summit is held every fall, this was our first one focusing on this critical and often overlooked area of health care.
“After our Provincial Leadership Meeting last spring, where members wanted education on mental health, there was an ask to go deeper,” Region 4 Vice-President Grace Pierias, who holds the portfolio of Education and Events, explains, adding that even before that, two ONA summer students proposed that it be the focus of the summit.
“Workplaces are treacherous and out of balance, and members are experiencing mental health that’s affecting their family life and their ability to perform their roles. And every time you have a conversation, it immediately circles into burnout, exhaustion and stress. We decided this would be the perfect opportunity to tie in mental health and leadership.”
Now more than ever, nurses and health-care professionals need mental health support.
ONA member and participant Victoria couldn’t agree more, noting this topic is “very timely and now more than ever, nurses and health-care professionals need mental health support.”
Throughout the five-day event, tailored education from mental health experts and workshops explored mental health issues, difficult conversations and effective communications, to name a few, to strengthen participants’ knowledge and broaden their practical skills to support themselves and their members.
They were also given much-needed space to step away from the demands of their roles, connect with one another, share experiences and reflect on their own wellbeing.
“This felt like a safe space and no one was there to be negative to anyone else, which made it easier to open up and chat with each other,” says member and participant Christopher.
It’s clear the summit’s goal of attendees leaving feeling supported and equipped with necessary tools and resources was achieved.
“They absolutely loved it, and told me it was a wonderful opportunity to learn, bond, take time for themselves and to build outside of their comfort zones,” adds Pierias, who also gives a shout-out to ONA staff “for bringing together a million different components of the summit to absolute perfection.”
Member and participant Stacey, who drove six hours to attend, says she learned that communications around mental health is key.
“The summit gave me a lot of valuable information, such as how to talk about mental health and how to deal with it myself and with other people. It taught me how to start those difficult conversations, and I feel much more confident now.”
Her fellow member and travel companion Anna, who says she was able to shut out some of the stress she’s under due to the nature of the summit, adds, “mental health issues aren’t uncommon and I learned a lot of strategies and tools for helping our team, which will be very beneficial.”
For Victoria, there was one takeaway, in particular, that she’s sharing with her members back home.
“I think just knowing that they aren’t alone and that others are experiencing mental health strain from work is key. I’m encouraging them to reach out to ONA to get involved and obtain the resources they need.”
View many more photos from this special event here.
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