WELLBEING


wants to ensure a more compassionate workplace — one where individuals feel supported and empowered to navigate professional and personal challenges with confidence and resilience. Crucially, AskTwice represents more than just a symbolic gesture — it embodies a tangible commitment to change. By providing a comprehensive resource hub and equipping individuals with the skills and confidence to initiate difficult conversations, this initiative lays the groundwork for sustained progress changing tired attitudes towards wellbeing.


judgmental, empathy is best demonstrated through reflective listening, validating the speaker’s thoughts and feelings. Listening is not waiting for a chance to speak; it necessitates undivided attention and genuine receptivity to the speaker’s words. Approaching conversations with empathy and an open mind prevents the imposition of personal biases, affirming the speaker’s experiences and fostering a sense of being heard.


Encouraging action propels individuals


ASK, LISTEN, ENCOURAGE ACTION, AND CHECK IN Within the resource hub promoted by AskTwice is a guide to the ALEC approach for navigating difficult conversations. Fear often deters individuals from engaging in mental health discussions, stemming from uncertainty about how to approach or respond to someone in distress.


The ALEC approach comprises four key


steps: Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, and Check In.


Asking pertinent questions at the right moment serves as the initial step toward fostering dialogue and instilling confidence in individuals to open up. Essential to this process is empathy—a skill that enables understanding of experiences from the perspective of the individual affected. Unlike sympathy, which can come across as


“By providing a comprehensive resource hub and equipping individuals with the skills and confidence to initiate difficult conversations, this initiative lays the groundwork for sustained progress changing tired attitudes towards wellbeing.”


toward solutions, shifting the focus from problems to proactive steps. By posing thought-provoking queries like “I wonder what it would do to…” or “How would it alter things if…”, individuals are empowered to take control of decision-making, making resolution more attainable.


Initiating difficult conversations need not be daunting, and by following these steps, individuals can provide invaluable support when needed. Asking twice should be viewed not as a source of apprehension but as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue. Checking in constitutes a crucial aspect of the approach, involving direct inquiries aimed at assessing wellbeing. Offering support and, if necessary, revisiting the


conversation and listening again can often lessen a burden and be just enough to make a difference. By fostering empathy, active and reflective listening, and proactive problem- solving, individuals can create a supportive environment conducive to opening conversations on wellbeing. As the workplace continues to evolve in response to technological advancements and shifting societal norms, the need to prioritise mental wellbeing has never been more pressing. In an era where burnout and stress-related illnesses are on the rise, organisations that fail to prioritise employee


wellbeing do so at their own peril. By elevating the conversation


around mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, this initiative not only aims to improve the lives of individual officers but also strengthens the fabric of policing as a whole. AskTwice wants to build a future defined by empathy, compassion, and resilience, encouraging those that serve in uniform to build a healthier, more supportive, and inclusive workplace for all. AskTwice, it may just save a life.


Visit www.polfed. org/campaigns/ ask-twice/ to find the right resources to help you and/or your colleagues.


11 | POLICE | JUNE | 2024


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