Mental Health First Aid Champions

We’re delighted to announce 16 members of our senior management team have completed mental health first aid training and yesterday became Mental Health First Aid Champions!

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. MHFA didn’t teach us how to be a therapist – but just like physical first aid, it did teach us to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis – and even to potentially stop a crisis from happening.

• We learnt to recognise warning signs of mental ill health, and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe.
• We learnt how to empower someone to access the support they might need for recovery or successful management of their symptoms.
• We learnt where to find this support – including self-help books or websites, accessing therapy services through their GP, their school or place of work, online self-referral, support groups, and more.
• We gained an understanding of how to help build a mentally healthy workplace, challenge stigma and support positive wellbeing

Emma Lewis, Bulloughs Welfare Officer commented

What a fantastic and informative day! I was delighted to see so many of our senior management team involved in what is the start of a journey to improve the wellbeing of our fantastic employees.  We recognise that wellbeing is good for business and that healthy people are happier, more engaged and more productive.