We sat down with Maddy, our new Mental Health First Aider, to discuss how mental health training helps tackle stigma in the workplace and why proper support is more vital than ever.
MHFA is a nation-wide training programme by MHFA England. They've been equipping organisations with mental health skills and tools since 2007, but gained significant traction in recent years as more and more employers recognise the importance of wellbeing in the workplace.
Maddy explains her motivation for training: "My interest in mental health has always been both personal and professional. As an HR Assistant, I often support colleagues seeking advice. But now, thanks to this training, I’ve gained new skills to deal with challenging situations with confidence and provide accurate information."
Mental health awareness has significantly increased in recent years, particularly after the pandemic and the energy crisis. These events taught everyone the need for proactive measures to support employee wellbeing.
Maddy reflects on the changes in the industry: ‘’It was a scary time for people. It became clear that we needed an action plan in the office that would help everyone get back on track.''
''Although we saw an increase in mental health issues after the energy crisis, Tritility and other consultancies stood up to the demands. It’s a very positive community where people care, and I’m glad to be part of it."
The programme trains Mental Health First Aiders to:
• Recognise signs of poor mental health and provide initial support.
• Encourage individuals to seek professional help and access appropriate resources.
• Practice active listening and empathy.
• Navigate conversations around mental health with improved language awareness.
• Use resources like the Shout text service and ongoing learning opportunities from MHFA England.
"The course helped me build on my existing knowledge and offered me a deeper understanding of mental health first aid. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach, the training equips us with the skills to ask the right questions and offer empathetic support," Maddy comments.
We spend a significant portion of our lives working, so it’s important to have access to positive mental health support in the workplace. Maddy explains. ‘’There will always be friendly places or faces to go to in the office. But as first aiders, we do things differently. We want people to know that it’s okay if you don’t always feel like reaching out to your manager. There are other options to consider, and that’s where we come in – always happy to have a chat and a cuppa when you need the support.’’
At Tritility, employees like Maddy, Nick, and Erin create a safe space for open communication and support. The MHFA programme is just one of the many ways we promote employee well-being: we recently gained our Gold Better Health at Work Award in recognition of our efforts to promote better health in the wider community. And as we expand with a new office in Leicester, we remain committed to our Gold Better Health at Work standard with a three-year strategy for wellbeing in the workplace and more exciting plans for 2024.