Celebrating our Mental Health First Aiders on World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health education and awareness, as well as being a valuable opportunity to advocate for better, more accessible support. This year, the theme is ‘Mental Health at Work’, prompting a discussion on the ways a workplace environment can affect people’s wellbeing. Estimates suggest that the average person spends a third of their time at work, so it’s important – for employees, organisations, and the wider community – that we address workplace wellness with care.

At Equator, we recently strengthened our approach across our UK sites by helping five member of our team to become Mental Health First Aiders. While they are not therapists or psychiatrists, Mental Health First Aiders are trained to be the first point of contact for people who are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress or feeling concerned about a friend, colleague or loved one. They are able to provide that all-important initial support and signpost people towards further help if required.

Becoming a Mental Health First Aider involves taking the internationally recognised Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course, which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill-health, as well as how to intervene (including in a crisis), provide appropriate help, and signpost people to further support. Each of our five Mental Health First Aiders volunteered to undertake this training because of their existing understanding or experience of mental health challenges, as well as a deep desire to provide vital support to their peers if needed.

For Senior Designer, Amy Gooding , based in our Nottingham studio, Mental Health First Aiders are important because they help companies create a supportive presence and safe, reliable sources of support. “It’s about making sure that people have someone to talk to if they’re experiencing poor mental health,” she explains. “There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re on your own when you’re struggling. In a work environment it can be particularly difficult to start up that conversation, so when the opportunity came up to train as a Mental Health First Aider and Advocate, I knew it was something I wanted to learn more about and use to help others.”

Alleviating the sense of disconnection experience by those struggling with poor mental health is also a motivating factor for Manchester-based Designer Rachel Buchanan , who became a Mental Health First Aider to help create a supportive environment where people are comfortable expressing themselves and feel like their emotions are validated. “Struggling with your mental health can be isolating and you can get trapped in your own head,” she observes. “If you have somebody to talk to and sound off, it can break the cycle. I’ve had people come to me and chat things through and that’s all they needed. It shows how important it is to be listened to.”

HR Advisor Priscilla Tropea , who leads the Mental Health First Aider initiative at Equator, is equally keen to create a supportive environment where her colleagues feel safe to seek support. “As someone who has personally faced the challenges of difficult situations, I understand how crucial it is to have support when dealing with mental health issues,” she explains. “This personal experience inspired me to become a Mental Health First Aider. My goal is to be a reliable source of assistance and to help foster a culture of understanding and empathy in our workplace.”

When it comes to what a typical interaction with a Mental Health First Aider will look like, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. “Talking is a trigger for getting on the road to recovery, whatever that looks like – and it’s different for everyone,” explains Manchester-based Account Director Lynn Palmer . “For some people, it might be enough to talk to someone outside of their situation, whereas for others it might be deeper than that and they may wish to seek further support, whether internally, via our employee assistance programme, or externally, via a GP or mental health provider. Either way, it’s important that we’re doing this within the work environment, as it acknowledges the fact that it's ok to feel like this and shows people that they don’t have to hide how they’re feeling.”

Regardless of the approach, all interactions with Mental Health First Aiders are confidential, ensuring that everyone has a strong support network. For QC/PQM/Print Technical Associate, Mark Robbins , the importance of this became particularly apparent during the pandemic. “I’ve had an interest in social counselling for many years,” he explains, “but when we had lockdown back in 2020, I'd just moved into a new place. Everything was peaceful and quiet because there was nobody around, but there was also a sense of desolation. It made me realise how easy it is for people to fall into a dark place without the right support. There is a lot going on in the world right now and I think all of us, in some small way, are feeling it. Now, more than ever, it’s important to have someone to talk to.”?

Our Mental Health First Aiders took different learning paths to become qualified. Mark, Lynn and Priscilla completed their MHFA course through Mental Health First Aid England via four half-day group video sessions, while Amy and Rachel took a government-funded course leading to a Level 3 qualification in Mental Health First Aid and Advocacy in the workplace. They now receive ongoing training and support, including a SharePoint hub full of resources, and have to refresh their learning every three years, ensuring that their knowledge and skills are kept up to date.

Today and every day, mental health matters. We are proud that our UK employees have the option to reach out to whichever Mental Health First Aider they wish to speak to – whether they are based in the same location or not – and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this resource, as well as others in place across the Equator network, when times get tough. We hope that our journey inspires other organisations to invest in Mental Health First Aiders, and also look forward to being inspired by other organisations who are prioritising their teams’ mental wellbeing through initiatives that destigmatise mental illness and provide safe, confidential sources of support.

If you need mental health support, Samaritans is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 116 123 (free from any phone) while Mind’s help line runs from 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday, on 0300 102 1234.

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