NABS Launches Mental Wellness Programme to Fill Urgent Training Gap for Adland’s Team Leaders

NABS today launches a holistic training and support programme for managers, designed to help them advance their teams’ mental wellness while safeguarding their own. 

Named Managers’ Mindsets, the initiative has been developed in response to NABS’ community consultation All Ears (2023) and All In’s industry census. Both reports highlighted that managers have become increasingly responsible for their teams’ mental wellness, alongside the mounting pressure of their roles.  

However, NABS’ extensive research has revealed that managers are not fully trained or supported to have these conversations, despite more than 40% of our industry saying that they would approach their line manager first of all if they had a mental wellness issue (All Ears).  

Managers’ Mindsets fills this essential gap. Covering crucial areas of mental wellness and management, course delegates will leave with practical tools to support themselves and others and to create safe and inclusive atmospheres at work.   

Managers’ Mindsets counteracts what the CIM recently termed ‘the rise of the accidental manager’. Due to the pressures of the industry and the lack of slack in the working day, organisations do not always have time to train those promoted into management positions.

In fact, only 19% of managers surveyed by All Ears had received any training. 

NABS’ experts have designed Managers’ Mindsets to fit easily within the working day, and are calling for organisations to partner with them to create much-needed space for training to support employee mental wellness.  

Indeed, many in the industry have specifically requested that NABS design managers’ training: 71% of All Ears respondents thought a NABS-created management programme would have the most impact in advancing mental wellness in the industry   

The situation is critical. In total, 46% of All Ears respondents said their mental wellness had suffered while their manager settled into their role, and 60% said their manager was promoted with no training to handle their new responsibilities. 

Despite this, the role of the manager has expanded substantially. Managers are now expected to provide emotional support for their team members, but without training and ongoing support, managers are suffering too.  A huge 75% of managers surveyed in All Ears have experienced mental wellness challenges. 

The launch of Managers’ Mindsets coincides with World Mental Health Day (10 October), providing a timely reminder for organisations to invest in their managers’ mental wellness. Managers' Mindsets improves managers' mental wellness: a vital factor, as employees early on in their careers often view managers in a state of overwhelm (NABS All Ears, 2023). 

Targeted at new and middle managers, the programme teaches practical tools that are grounded in neuroscience and psychology. Designed and delivered by NABS’ experts, Managers' Mindsets has people at its core, helping delegates to support themselves as they support others. It also brings delegates together in community, harnessing the mental wellness benefits of participating in a peer network. 

The programme is available via two pathways – each of the elements of the programme is available through NABS’ charity offer, free to individuals at the point of access. In response to market demands, it can also be bought in by organisations, enabling them to set the same high standard and processes for empathetic management across their teams and another way for organisations to support NABS and their mission.  

Lorraine Jennings-Creed, director of wellbeing services and culture change, NABS says: “Managers have a huge influence over their teams’ mental wellness – in many cases, as much influence as their partners might have. Managers' Mindsets gives managers the skills and understanding to be a positive and supportive influence.”

Sue Todd, CEO, NABS said, “NABS’ All Ears community consultation revealed that while expectations on managers are incredibly high, they aren’t given enough support – if any – to fulfil these rising demands. Today’s manager has to know how to support their teams’ mental wellness as well as looking after their own emotional health. NABS’ Managers' Mindsets answers this urgent call.” 

Managers' Mindsets comprises the following elements, which are available separately or in any combination for added benefit: 

Managers’ Mindsets group workshops (2.5 hours long) on areas including:   

• Mental wellness conversations    
• Coaching skills   
• Managing pressure   
• Inclusive leadership  
• Leading through change   

Explore group sessions (90 minutes), deep-diving into areas including giving and receiving feedback, creating safe spaces and navigating challenging conversations.  

Community-building and support via our managers’ mentoring programme and group workshops.  

NABS’ Advice Line providing 1:1 confidential support for managers and their team members, for compassionate chats, expert guidance and bespoke information to help people through the unique challenges of management, alongside more universal work and life challenges.  

Speed Mentoring for Managers on 9 October, where attendees can discuss their challenges and gain support and inspiration from some of our industry’s most senior leaders.