18 October marks World Menopause Day, an international day to raise awareness of perimenopause and menopause and the impacts it can have on those who are experiencing it. To mark this day, we have launched two new Menopause Awareness Courses.
These courses are designed to equip attendees with knowledge and awareness about peri/menopause and the effects it can have on mental health and wellbeing. It also explores strategies that workplaces can use to support the wellbeing of their staff who are experiencing menopause.
The impact of menopause on mental health
Menopause can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing but often the extent of this impact is not properly understood. While the physical symptoms of menopause are widely known, the effects on mental health are less discussed. This lack of discussion and understanding means that organisations such as workplaces are often not well prepared to support people going through perimenopause and menopause.
Ways in which perimenopause and menopause can impact our mental health and wellbeing include:
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Anger
- Feeling numb
Menopause might also intersect with existing mental and physical health conditions, which can leave people feeling worse.
The impacts of perimenopause and menopause on mental health can sometimes be so severe that they lead to concerns about early onset dementia – this places additional stress on mental health.
These changes impact our daily lives, which can make it hard to manage the usual workload and routine. When the people in our lives don’t understand the way menopause can influence daily life, it can quickly make us feel isolated and misunderstood.
Peri/menopausal people might also need to adjust or reduce working hours to accommodate the impacts of perimenopause and menopause. This can be financially disadvantageous which can also contribute to an increase in stress.
For this reason, everyone can benefit from dedicated Menopause Awareness Training, which provides the knowledge and skills required to support yourself, family, friends and staff going through the menopause.
What can you learn from our Menopause Awareness Course
In recognition of World Menopause Days theme, Empower, Educate, Elevate, we are excited to introduce two new training courses aimed at increasing awareness and support for menopause in the workplace.
The first is a short workshop that is designed for anyone interested in learning more about menopause and developing the skills needed to support their colleagues, friends and family.
The second is a longer course with more focused information that is designed to give managers and leaders the right tools to support their workforce with the impacts of the menopause.
Menopause and Mental Health (1-hour Bitesize Workshop)
This bitesize workshop is an introductory course designed to provide essential knowledge and skills to people who want to support those going through menopause.
It will cover the key information about the menopause such as:
- The difference between perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
- The physical, cognitive, and emotional signs and symptoms associated with each of these stages.
- The specific mental health challenges linked to menopause
- How we can support and signpost individuals who are experiencing the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
Menopause and Mental Health for Managers (3-hour Workshop)
This workshop is a more in-depth course designed for managers and those in leadership positions. It covers everything in the bitesize workshop and also explores how to navigate meaningful and supportive conversations about menopause with colleagues and employees.
It will also cover reasonable adjustments and other strategies that could be beneficial for workplaces to implement.
With a significant percentage of individuals experiencing mental health challenges during perimenopause and menopause, these courses are essential for creating an inclusive workplace. By participating, employers can enhance employee well-being, improve retention, and cultivate a culture of understanding and empathy
Workplace mental health training from Leeds Mind
When more people understand the way mental health issues impact our wellbeing, the better equipped we all are to support those going through them. This is why mental health training is an asset for workplaces and a great thing to get involved with.
At Leeds Mind, we offer a range of training opportunities both for businesses and for individuals interested in expanding their knowledge and understanding. In these sessions, we aim to create an accessible space for individuals to learn more about mental health issues and topics. We will also strive to provide you with skills you can apply to your life and workplace.
You can explore all of our training opportunities, such as our Mental Health First Aid course and our Mental Health Awareness course, over on our training page.
For more information, please contact the training team at Leeds Mind training@leedsmind.org.uk
