Our platinum 100Club partner Polypipe Building Products is growing a culture of better mental health within in the company.
Thirteen employees across the business have been trained as mental health first aiders as part of the company’s commitment to provide health and wellbeing support to all colleagues.
Over two training sessions, Polypipe Building Product’s mental health first aiders were provided with the knowledge to spot potential mental health issues in others, but were also provided with resources that offer the right support their colleagues may need.
Following what has been a challenging few years for all of us, it is more important than ever to treat mental health with the same importance that we treat physical health.
All of the mental health first aiders have volunteered due to their own experience with mental health or having supported family and friends in the past. The main take away from the training was to create a non-judgemental culture within Polypipe Building Products to have an open and free conversation around mental health.
Lauren Turner, occupational health and wellbeing co-ordinator, said: “I chose to be a mental health first aider because I want to help people in the workplace, to be that kind face people can speak to.
“It is important to understand mental health and be able to speak out loud about it. I also believe mental health should be given the same care and attention as physical health.”
Mental health first aid training is an internationally recognised course from MHFA England.
Providing colleagues with this training is part of the occupational health and wellbeing programme at Polypipe Building Products which includes free help and support that can be accessed 24/7, an online wellness platform, physiotherapy and support from Andysman Club to name a few.