With work taking up a large portion of the lives of most adults, we know that the workplace can be a key setting in which to address mental health.
Critical to improving workplace mental health is for colleagues to know they can have open and honest conversations about their mental health with someone they trust. That’s why mental health first aiders (MHFAs) are a small step in bridging the gap.
Chris Heighes is one of the MHFAs at Halma company Apollo Fire Detectors based in Havant, Hampshire UK. As a Production Manager, he oversees 12 direct reports and is part of a diverse workforce of approximately 250 employees. Recognising the importance of mental health and wellbeing, three years ago Apollo sought to offer MHFAs on staff and Chris was one of five who took on the role at the time.
MHFAs undergo training to spot the signs and respond to the needs of a person experiencing a mental health issue. They do not treat or diagnose mental health conditions; they are there to listen without judgement, to be a sounding for someone experiencing emotional distress and to confidently signpost them to appropriate support. Last year, Chris expanded his credentials earning an FAQ Level 3 Award in Mental Health: Workplace First Aider qualification.
When asked what motivated him, Chris answered that mental health hit close to home. “When I met my wife, she had a lot of trauma in her life that affected her mental health, including a father who committed suicide. My desire to help others started from there.”
“As a people manager, I recognise that the better people feel and the more they enjoy their work, the more productive they are. But It’s not just about getting the most out of them at work, is about getting the most out of them as people. Most of us spend eight hours at work and another 16 hours off-the-clock so it’s important that people are also functioning at their best at home.”
Helping others is a self-less act, but Chris points out that it’s not without reward. “I recently spoke to someone I’d been helping and leading towards the path of professional counseling. She told me it was something that had been really scarry to her, but she finally had taken the leap. It’s very rewarding to see someone through that journey.”
Encouraging wellness and wellbeing all year round
Beyond MHFAs, our companies have implemented other measures to ensure that wellbeing is promoted throughout the year. These include flexible working patterns allowing an employee to complete their work in a manner that suits them without the feelings of stress and anxiety that come from commitments such as school runs and childcare. Organised walks, team talks and wellness challenges are a few other regular practices our companies employ all of which contribute to a healthy body-mind connection.
At the Halma Group level, we’ve introduced a mental health awareness programme for managers offering guidance on leading supportive conversations and on managing their own wellness. An Employee Assistance Programme has been recently expanded to cover colleagues in all of Europe, and a similar programme is in place for the US and India providing confidential advice on personal, emotional, financial and legal matters.
There is still a lot of stigma around mental health. We continue to work on encouraging candour, trust and compassion. We know that this is an important pillar to fostering a high-performing and inclusive culture.
