Mental Health First Aiders –a workplace’s first line of support

The Scaffolding Association recently established a Health and Wellbeing Committee to help improve the mental health support that employers provide, and to encourage employees to talk with employers and colleagues. Steve Kerslake, Founder of Construction Sport, and Chair of the Committee, discusses one potential element of a wellbeing package – Mental Health First Aiders.

Paying attention to workplace mental health has never been more important, especially in construction. Becoming a Mental Health First Aider, or supporting a workmate to do so, could make a significant difference – and even save lives. Construction can be a rewarding and varied industry to work in. But it’s also one where pressures can be high, and people can be more likely than average to experience work-related stress and other mental health issues. For employees, it often hasn’t felt easy to come forward, mention that something’s wrong or ask a colleague to talk. But things are changing. More and more construction businesses are starting to see their staff’s mental health as a priority. And with plenty of help, information, and training available, it’s easier than ever to put employee mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of our list of responsibilities.

What is mental health first aid?

Mental health first aid is:

• spotting the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues

• providing non-judgemental support and reassurance

• guiding a person to seek professional support.

Six steps to improved mental health

We can all improve our mental health by making small, positive changes to how we live. A combination of these six simple tips really can make a positive difference to how we feel about ourselves.

What is a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)?

A Mental Health First Aider is a volunteer who, alongside their day job, looks out for their workmates by checking on their mental wellbeing, offering to talk or listen to their concerns, and directing them to expert help should they need it. These volunteers aren’t counsellors or therapists – they’re concerned colleagues doing their bit for others.

A person who volunteers for the MHFA role most be comfortable in their own mind and not be suffering with mental wellbeing issues. The MHFA must be a good listener and discreet – any information given must be treated as strictly confidential unless the individual feels it needs to be shared.

Mental Health First Aid England is the leading licensed provider of MHFA training in the UK – its courses give people the skills and confidence to recognise the signs and symptoms of the most common mental health issues and help them effectively guide a person towards the correct support, whether that be self-help, an employer assistance programme or NHS services.

What are the benefits of holding Mental Health First Aid certification?

The primary benefit is quite obvious – supporting a workmate at their darkest time and possibly saving their life. Statistics show that each employee’s absenteeism and presenteeism costs a company around £1,300 per year. In construction it is sometimes known as the ‘Monday Club’ – those who are hung-over or ‘coming down’ after the weekend. This is a problem that can be reduced by effective investment and support in Mental Health First Aid.

If an employer spends £1 on helping an employee through their issues, the employer’s return is said to be £5, measured in less absenteeism, less presenteeism, and greater productivity.

Having an MHFA within the company or available via phone (usually a worker on a nearby site) can help people to start on the road to recovery. It is genuinely possible for a person to have poor mental health, find a way to manage and still lead a rewarding life. Some just need counselling or medication to help ‘take the edge off’ their issues so that they can move forward.

Taking part in a Mental Health First Aid course:

• raises awareness of mental illnesses

• encourages early intervention to aid recovery

• increases confidence in dealing with mental illnesses

• reduces stigma around mental health issues.

How to become a Mental Health First Aider

In the first instance, interested employees need to discuss becoming a MHFA with their employer, who would the need to decide whether the individual is suited to the role and whether their work duties allow the extra responsibility. Funding for training is available from CITB and St. Johns Ambulance (see the section to the right). Whichever training organisation you choose, they will all offer all the support and guidance needed to become an excellent MHFA.

Support for Mental Health First Aiders

Looking for mental health support?

Building Mental Health

Building Mental Health is a group of volunteers from the construction industry who pull together thinking and information around mental health. They have a list of training organisations who specialise in construction and can deliver mental health first aid training on site. Find out more: www.buildingmentalhealth.net

Considerate Constructors

The Considerate Constructors Scheme’s Spotlight on Mental Health has facts and figures, legal information and a regularly-updated library of examples of best practice in supporting mental health in construction. Find out more: www.ccscheme.org.uk

Citb

Construction employers who are registered with CITB can claim grants to pay for training, including Mental Health First Aid Instructor courses with a special focus on construction. Find out more: www.citb.co.uk

Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity

The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity provides financial and emotional support to the construction community and their families. This could be due to an injury, a long-term illness or simply needing a hand. They support education and training initiatives, fund ideas to improve health or safety in the work environment, and provide services like the 24-hour Construction Industry Helpline. They also offer the Construction Industry Helpline app – filled with advice and guidance on all sorts of wellbeing topics, the app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and referred to on any mobile device.

Find out more: www.lighthouseclub.org

Mental Health First Aid England

can help.

Another Committee member, Ian Pickard, a Health & Safety Consultant, Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Co-Founder of SWAG (Sussex Wellness Action Group), offers these insights: “My journey started when a colleague gave an on site mental health toolbox talk. I was so interested that asked him how and where I become a first aider. Following the completion of my two first aider courses, I learned that the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity were funding 7-day instructor courses for those in construction. Having completed what consider to be one of the best courses I have ever undertaken, I realised that was suffering from poor mental health – could now spot the issues I had been living with for over 10 years.

“One of my key signs was being short-tempered with my loved ones: at times I was shouting at my family due to the pressures of running my own business. My youngest daughter realised – and told me – that the MHFA course had helped me become more calm. That was a turning point in my life; I now know when I’m suffering and can do things to help.

“Unfortunately a lot of men still believe that it is a sign of weakness to admit a problem and seek help. However, I would like to state clearly that the men I know who have talked with me about their mental health are the strongest men I have known (and have a military and construction background). Admitting that there might be a wellbeing problem and taking action is a sign of strength. I would encourage all men who have any kind of doubts to talk to someone –let’s work together to support each other and live happier, healthier lives.”

It is important that Mental Health First Aiders have a robust support network that they can rely on – the role is challenging and a MHFA should never feel overwhelmed or isolated. Being a Mental Health First Aider is a voluntary role that places demands on your time and wellbeing. If, at any time, the problems of others are negatively affecting a MHFA’s wellbeing, or they do not feel ‘in the right place’ to support others, the MHFA should consider stepping down from the role. The individual’s mental health is always the priority.

It’s also important that the MHFA is but one component in a multi-faceted approach to mental health support that spreads the emotional load. The Scaffold Association Health & Wellbeing Committee is here to ensure that as we build into the future, the health of all members – mental and physical –is prioritised.

In order to understand the issues, and the struggles that our workforce are facing, we need to collaborate and learn lessons. Then we can make a difference by improving wellbeing within the industry. We can save lives.

Does your company have a MHFA?

The Scaffolding Association would love to hear from you – please email alison@scaffolding-association.org if you’d like to share your experiences, ask for advice or support the Health and Wellbeing Committee.

Did you know?

41% of employees experience mental health symptoms caused, or worsened, by work. 30% of employees told no one about their mental health issues.

(Source: Business in the Community, 2020: Mental Health at Work report)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England offers a range of training to empower people to spot signs of mental ill health and offer first aid support. By improving mental health skills, confidence and access to support, the training assists in reducing stigma, increasing wellbeing, and encouraging people to thrive at work.

Find out more: www.mhfaengland.org

St. Johns Ambulance

St. Johns Ambulance offer free resources for the workplace, including: a free poster that highlights the mental health first aiders in a workplace or advertise dedicated mental health helplines; and a downloadable mental health first aider email signature that lets others in the workplace know they can approach the sender to talk.

Find out more: www.sja.org.uk

Zero Suicide Alliance

The Zero Suicide Alliance distribute free online training as part of their mission to improve support for people who might be contemplating suicide. It’s available to everyone without any kind of registration or login, so can very easily be distributed and promoted within a workplace to help create a more supportive, confident culture.

Find out more: www.zerosuicidealliance.com For emergency mental health support call: Samaritans on 116 123, or NHS on 111