Safe Work and Mental Health Month
Live Virtual Workshops
October is Safe Work and Mental Health Month and the Psychosocial Safety and Leadership Institute are hosting a number of workshops to provide tools and strategies for real challenges in the workplace.
Join leading experts for practical, evidence-based sessions you can apply straightaway, whether you are responsible for psychosocial safety in your organisation or simply want to lead and communicate more effectively.
Practical Insights for Safer, Healthier Workplaces
Each session brings together leading experts and practical, evidence-based tools you can apply straightaway, whether you are responsible for psychosocial safety in your organisation or simply want to lead and communicate more effectively.
Join one session or register for multiple workshops throughout October.
WORKSHOP 01
How Leadership Language Shapes Psychological Safety
Most psychological safety initiatives focus on culture, climate or trust and overlook the thing that shapes all three every single day: the language leaders actually use.
Friday 16 October | 12:30-1:30pm AEDT
WORKSHOP 02
Best Practice Conduct Investigations
Conduct investigations don't stop at findings. Even when allegations are unsubstantiated, the investigation process itself can create or reveal psychosocial hazards that need to be managed.
Friday 30 October | 11-12 noon AEDT
Workshop Details
How Leadership Language Shapes Psychological Safety and Sustainable Performance
Friday 16 October | 12:30-1:30pm AEDT
Most psychological safety initiatives focus on culture, climate or trust and overlook the thing that shapes all 3 every single day: the language leaders actually use. Every phrase a leader chooses sends a signal about whether it is safe to speak up, whether mistakes will be punished and whether dissent is genuinely welcome.
In this session, Belinda draws on the research of Amy Edmondson, insights from Google's Project Aristotle and practices from high-reliability industries to show how everyday language becomes a lever for either amplifying or reducing psychosocial risk. You will walk away with practical, evidence-based language shifts you can apply immediately in accountability conversations, change communication and everyday leadership moments.
You'll learn how to:
- Spot high-risk phrasing patterns in accountability and change contexts
- Apply 5 evidence-based language shifts that build learning and contribution
- Tell the difference between safety-enhancing and safety-eroding conversational habits
- Fold language practices into your broader leadership and risk mitigation approach
With Belinda Straughan Winks
Co-Founder of illume Partners
Belinda is the Co-Founder of illume Partners and a Principal Organisational Development Consultant with 20+ years' experience translating research into practical leadership practices across multiple industries.
Best Practice Conduct Investigations
Friday 30 October | 11-12 noon AEDT
Conduct investigations don't stop at findings. Even when allegations are unsubstantiated, the investigation process itself can create or reveal psychosocial hazards that need to be managed, and the emotional impact on everyone involved, complainant, respondent and witnesses, often goes unaddressed.
This session introduces a practical, person centred approach to conduct investigations through a psychosocial risk lens, designed for HR, WR and OHS/WHS professionals.
Sarah will walk through core investigation processes including communication, documentation, timelines and evidence, alongside the common pitfalls that can unintentionally cause further harm, and how to apply trauma informed, best practice principles that support safer and fairer outcomes. You'll leave equipped to translate investigation insights into practical risk management actions that strengthen psychological safety well after a case concludes.
You'll learn how to:
- Understand why unsubstantiated findings don't eliminate psychosocial risk
- Identify psychosocial hazards relevant to investigations
- Apply person centred, trauma informed investigation practices
- Take reasonable steps to manage ongoing risk after an investigation concludes
With Sarah Hellwege
CEO, Psychgroup
Sarah is the CEO of Psychgroup and a registered psychologist with a background in injury management. She has worked as an Inspector for WorkSafe Victoria conducting psychosocial safety inspections.
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Coming Soon
Mitch Wallis Masterclass
Mitch Wallis is also hosting a Masterclass in October as part of Safe Work and Mental Health Month. Register your interest below to be the first to know when details are confirmed.
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