Feature


Health & Safety


‘Employees should feel comfortable and supported discussing mental health concerns’


First Aid (MHFA) course. These are available from a range of providers, and although content and delivery will differ, the key messages will help participants: • Identify the early stages of a mental health problem


• Help someone who’s dealing with a mental health issue


• Help stop someone from self- harming or hurting others


• Help stop mental ill health from worsening


• Help someone have a quicker recovery


• Guide someone towards proper professional help


• Break the stigma of a mental health problem


MHFA courses aren’t designed to


produce trained counsellors, but to give participants both awareness of the issues and the skills to enable them to listen non-judgementally to colleagues. They should then have confidence to signpost sufferers to suitable help from the various agencies/organisations available – the NHS, employee assistance programmes (EAPs), health cash plans (HCPs), private medical insurance (PMI) and NGOs


such as Samaritans, Mind, Heads Together and Sane.


What employers can do With signposting to early intervention the key to reducing the impact of a mental health issue, many employers can utilise the services they have available to employees in the form of EAPs – either standalone, via group risk products (group life and income protection) or group healthcare (HCPs and PMI) – which can be an important first step. EAPs come in many shapes and


sizes, and provide direct access to help via telephone calls, and increasingly, by new technology – text messages, phone apps, etc. – offering individuals the opportunity to use online tools and resources to look after their wellbeing and self- manage some of the less serious mental health conditions. Although these online tools are


useful, people with more severe needs should seek specific clinical help from an appropriate medical practitioner. As with most things, a variety of solutions is the best approach, matching help to individual needs.


Employees should feel comfortable discussing their mental health


Needs must Organisations need to take the issue of mental wellbeing seriously. They should invest in training for staff and help affected employees find assistance. Communication is key – first,


employees should feel comfortable and supported discussing mental


health concerns, and secondly, they must know where and how to pursue suitable help. After all, there is little point in


putting mental wellbeing benefits in place if staff aren’t aware of the help available or are too embarrassed or worried to seek assistance.


58 CHAMBERLINK October 2018


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80