We work in the mental health awareness arena. It's a huge and important area and so very relevant in our society - both for adults,children, privately, and in the workplace.
Unfortunately, it is not law yet to have a 'Mental Health First Aider' in the workplace but there is work going on behind the scenes to make this law within the next year (white paper in Parliament). We hope this will get through.
The fact is that there are more people in need of mental health support than plasters for wounds and other physical problems in the workplace. Despite this, there is still a lot of stigma around mental illness and many people are hesitant and ashamed of their experiences. The fear of being judged and sidelined is a top concern. Tackling this requires management action. They need to show that they care and support their employees by offering training and time off when needed. Above all, it is also important to be role models and transparent about their own experiences.
One of the biggest costs for companies is hiring new employees and training them. Statistics show that companies that have more understanding and training in mental health also have the highest retention rates. For every £1 employers spend on mental health interventions, they get £10 back in reduced absence, attendance and staff turnover.
The workplace is full of different people and different needs. Knowing how to support someone when they are feeling mentally unwell can be difficult. What works for one person may not work for another.
Training Mental Health First Aiders is a big step towards creating an inclusive and open workplace. These individuals will have a greater awareness of what mental illness means and how to be supportiive colleagues and fellow human beings.
There is a lot to learn, such as how to understand the signs that someone is unwell and how to talk to someone without appearing nosy and intrusive.
Listening is an art in itself. Most of us want to come up with solutions and remedy situations. The art of listening requires practise and awareness of ourselves and how we react in situations. Being able to hold back and actively listen can be hard because we just want to help.
However, research shows that a person who feels seen and heard, not forced to talk or told what to do, is much more likely to recover from a difficult period. The Samaritans are an organisation that demonstrates this time and time again.
MRT Consultants are here to help and train staff. Please get in touch for a chat.
