Animation In Workplace Mental Health Training
Staying isolated for weeks on end due to the COVID-19 pandemic has raised the demand for mental health training in the workplace. In this article, we are going to discuss the use of animation in this specific context.
Multimedia Learning Application
The cognitive theory of multimedia learning points out that there are two channels through which we absorb information: visual and auditory. Text and pictures belong to the former, whereas speech is classified in the auditory. Once the two channels integrate, the information is moved to long-term memory and the learners have a deeper understanding of the information in-take. Since animation combines both visuals and audio, it is suitable for delivering dense messages like mental health.
Audience-Friendly Format
Characters with detailed facial expressions positively influence the learning process. Using characters in your videos makes your training session more relatable, thus the employees feel more secure to open up about their mental conditions.
Abstract Concepts Made Simple
Animation, with its expressiveness, is effective in turning complex information into concrete information. Mental disorders are abstract topics that not everyone is able to fathom, so the outcome might not be satisfying those efforts that have been made to explain those topics. Thanks to the nature of animation, including strong visualization ability and friendly appearance, it is a great helper for a more effective training session. It creates an interactive platform for learners to not learn, but to experience. Through that, employees can come to understand the ideas they find complex.
An Engaging And Inspiring Platform
The other difference between animated videos and traditional training methods is that they are more colorful and vivid. Using animation can raise learners' moods, which leads to their willingness to engage. With proper usage, mental health knowledge can be more accessible while remaining important. Many empirical studies have come to the conclusion that animation works as a tool to enhance the learning experience and helps learners actively take part in training.
How To Utilize Animation For Workplace Mental Health Training
Now that you understand the many applications of animation in workplace mental health training, I will suggest a few tips in the production process to achieve the best results.
1. Know Your Audience
Employee Needs Assessment
Understanding audiences' needs is fundamental. It not only gives guidance for your content design but also determines your employees' satisfaction. Mental health in the workplace primarily contributes to employees' well-being rather than providing hard skills, so be as audience-centric as possible.
To-do:
- Based on your own judgment, build a list of training content
- Create a Needs Assessment Sheet to understand employees' expectations toward the training
2. Make Use Of Visuals Appropriately
As mentioned, visualization is the strength of animation, yet overusing it can be counter-productive and your employees might take the training sessions lightly. You should consider carefully the animation styles, color palette, and content distribution to avoid cognitive exhaustion.
The video below demonstrates how the vision of a leader might affect his pathway in attaining a goal by comparing the extent of his vision to the radar of the boat. The longer it is, the greater control the leader holds, and vice versa. As you can see, complex-styled animation and marvelous motions are not necessary for this situation since the key point is to simplify complex concepts.
3. Careful Research And Application
Creativity solely is not enough if you choose animation as your training method. It is suggested that you find a subject matter for more accurate information and customized content. Though, feel free to be a little creative in the implementation. When using animation, one tip is to create a relatable plot since narrating is the key strength of animation and also the most effective way to gain attention.
4. A Detailed And Contextual Guide
Tips should be short, easy-to-understand, and applicable. Remember that the purpose of mental health training is for the employees to apply what they have learned.
Conclusion
We have reached a point where we can talk openly about mental health in the workplace and thankfully, our tech has evolved enough to make it easier. With animation, employees will be aware of stress and burnout and will know how to avoid them. Use it well, and the results will be worth your effort.
