Pathway to Coping | UNB

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College of Extended Learning

Pathway to Coping

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The COVID-19 pandemic may be stressful and incredibly frightening for some people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions during uncertain times. Now, more than ever, it is important to take care of your mental health. Pathway to Coping (PWC) can help.

PWC is a structured, developmental program will show you how to develop skills and techniques to cope better with stress and improve your ability to solve problems and to make healthy and effective decisions.

Course features

  • Offered completely online
  • Takes 15-18 hours to complete
  • Includes two complimentary e-books
  • Participants will receive a Letter of Participation from UNB CEL upon completion
  • Access to course is available for 2 years

Objectives

The key objective is to get participants on the journey to being able to cope better with stressful situations so that they can make better choices.

Nine modules expose participants to a combination of resources and skills to help get them on the right pathway to coping.

Coping skills include problem-solving, decision-making, interpersonal skills, flexibility, impulse control, empathy, relationship skills, optimism, and positive thinking. Developing these skills takes self-determination. The course includes a self-assessment, active learning, and an evaluation process.

Topics include:

  • Avoiding Faulty Thinking
  • Self-Confidence
  • Energy
  • Relationships
  • Human Motivation Insights
  • Flexibility
  • Positive Thinking
  • Leadership from Within
  • Resiliency

Benefits to individuals

  • Develop new, more adaptive ways of coping
  • Get ahead personally and professionally
  • Find peace
  • Improve relationships

Benefits to employers

  • Provide a supportive social environment encouraging employees to seek help
  • Create an engaged workforce that is motivated to succeed
  • Reduce absenteeism and turnover rates
  • Build positive employee/employer relationships where employees want to come to work
  • Enhance both the psychological and physical health of your employees which will lead to higher employee job satisfaction and increased productivity

Learn about the impact mental wellbeing has on the workplace.

Tuition: $239 +HST $119.50 +HST

Organizational Discount: Multi-seat licensing and discounts are available. Contact an account manager for more information.

Register now!

Further details

PWC aims to help anyone manage stress or deal with its persistent symptoms. It is grounded in the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach, which focuses on modifying dysfunctional beliefs and improving coping skills. CBT has proven to be as effective as supportive counselling or standard care in reducing psychological problems.

Pathway to Coping activities include:

  • Reading and reviewing course material covering nine competency topics. This includes the readings, videos, daily journals and self-assessment activities.
  • Personal reflections on how the competencies can improve their coping skills.
  • Quizzes to demonstrate your understanding of the course content.
  • Course evaluation

Pathway to Coping: Nine competencies can take you on the path to coping mastery

The course presents the nine competencies using a three-stage model that includes:

  • Stage 1: A foundational stage of grounding core competencies for developing coping skills.
  • Stage 2: Moves from foundation to development skills that focus on teaching students how to influence their thinking to cope with life's stresses.
  • Stage 3: Moves from development to mastery skills that influence how effectively students cope in life.

The presentation of each competency provides students with a journey of self-discovery. Through thought-provoking information and self-assessment you will gain the knowledge they need to develop coping skills. It is important to note that the course is just the beginning of the journey. Success will depend on your motivation and willingness to practice the skills taught. Skill development takes practice.

It is suggested that you take the time to give considerable thought and practice to each competency. Engaging in one competency per week gives you time to reflect on the learning before moving on to the next. The entire course takes on average 15-18 hours to complete, but times vary depending on the participant.


The impact of mental health on the workplace

A graphic with multiple stats on the cost of public health on businesses and the economyCoping skills directly affect business results. Mental-health issues left unchecked can influence the frequency, intensity and duration of performance issues. Organizational success depends on what your employees think and then do—in that order.

According to Bill Wilkerson, co-founder and CEO of Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health, stress and mental health issues have exploded in the workplace. These issues are costing Canadian businesses an estimated $33 billion a year in lost productivity and staff turnover. Research indicates that coping skills are the lead indicator for predicting employee engagement and health.

How can Pathway to Coping support your organization?

You take your employee wellness seriously and want tools, training and education to foster a healthy workplace. The Pathway to Coping course can help you achieve this goal.

Pathway to Coping allows your employees to develop their coping skills following a structured developmental program that is delivered entirely online.

We offer multi-seat licensing and discounts. Contact an account manager to discuss your organization’s needs.


The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate your current resiliency level. We recommend that you repeat the assessment monthly to track and measure your development. Pathway to Coping can help you maintain or improve your ability to manage stressful situations.

Take the assessment


Bill Howatt, Ph.D., Ed.D., Post Doc in Behavioral Science, RTC, RSW, ICADC, is a strategic human resources consultant, executive coach and mental health professional with over 25 years experience. He has delivered professional development for EFAP organizations; Nova Scotia Community College; universities; federal, provincial, and municipal governments; and public and privately owned organizations.

Known internationally for his expertise in human behaviour, addictive disorders, and cognitive behavioural therapy, Dr. Howatt has published books for Brooks/Cole and John Wiley. He also authored a monthly business column called Coach’s Corner, and wrote a bi-weekly column on leadership issues. He is a regular contributor to the Globe and Mail Workplace Health Series and the Chronicle Herald. He partnered with the Globe and Mail to conduct the Your Life at Work Survey, which looked at stress levels and quality of work. He also created Morneau Shepell’s Total Health Index (THI) and created The Globe and Mail’s Employee Recommended Workplace Award.

In addition to his traditional academic background, Bill has also completed his Professional Coach Certification through Corporate Coach University. Most importantly, he believes we all can learn to cope and live happier lives if we get an opportunity to learn the foundational tools required to facilitate peace and happiness.


Customized training solutions

Let us create a program that is custom-designed for your organization. Or you can choose from one of our popular seminars, programs, or series of courses to be delivered either on the UNB campus, your workplace, or another location of your choice. We can turn your organization's training plans into action.