October 25, 2018

Guiding healthcare professionals who are experiencing difficulties, such as disputes with their employer, the complex steps of an OHS case, etc., are a central part of a local union team’s mandate. Such challenges are rarely easy for those involved. In fact, supporting someone who must overcome major obstacles and who may show signs of psychological distress requires composure and compassion while being able to preserve one’s own well-being.
This set the tone for Network participants as they talked not only about the challenges they face in these types of situations, but about tips they use to facilitate their tasks, take care of themselves and protect their own mental health in order to be able to provide the best possible support to their members. Some members recommended setting aside specific times to focus on new members, teamwork, or to put down their personal cell phones and use a regular phone.

Speaking of compassion, Ms. Line Bolduc, an experienced speaker and author, concluded the Network with a presentation on personal and professional well-being. Her presentation was both playful and touching, and addressed aspects of emotional, mental and physical health. She talked about self-affirmation, stress reduction and letting go, as well as emotional management that can undermine your happiness. The participants really enjoyed it!