First celebrated in 1992, World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
Both Mental Health First Aid, together with Mental Health Awareness, is essential in the workplace for giving employees the relevant knowledge, guidance and support if they, or someone they know, are struggling with mental health.
George Nicolson are pleased that all members of staff previously grasped the opportunity to undertake an online Mental Health Awareness course. The short course explained the difference between mental health and mental illness. It covered the symptoms of a number of the most common mental illnesses so they will know what to look out for or what to expect if they are working with someone with one of these conditions. As well as providing some practical advice on how you can work effectively with those affected by these conditions.
Furthermore, our apprentices previously attended an inhouse Mental Health Awareness course arranged through St Andrews First Aid. The course was informative and beneficial to our young people. The course encompassed open discussions on indentifying conditions, providing advice, how to start a conversation, stress etc.
As well as having an existing Mental Health First Aid Workplace Policy in place, we also now have a total of 10 First Aiders for Mental Health ranging from office based staff to site operatives and senior management.
The company will continue to support all our employees and focus on the importance of mental health in the workplace. Through doing this, we hope to reduce the stigma around mental health and promote it in a more positive light.
Image courtesy of Freepik.