As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the support for staff with their mental health, we have recently introduced Mental Health First Aiders.
Our Mental Health First Aiders are here to support anyone with a mental health concern – confidentially at any time. All our Mental Health First Aiders are qualified to Ofqual regulated Level 2 Award in First Aid for Mental Health (RQF) for England or Award in First Aid for Mental Health at SCQF Level 5 for Scotland.
The role of a Mental Health First Aider in the workplace is to be a point of contact for an employee who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress.
This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting our people to get appropriate help. As well as in a crisis, Mental Health First Aiders are valuable in providing early intervention help for someone who may be developing a mental health issue. Mental Health First Aiders are not trained to be therapists or psychiatrists, but they can offer initial support through non-judgemental listening and guidance.