Your mental health first aiders are here for you

Let’s talk about mental health…

We are proud to announce the appointment of the CCG’s first group of Mental Health First Aiders.

Last month, six staff completed a two-day online training course, run by MHFA England.

The course, covering all aspects of mental health, teaches indepth skills for providing first aid to people who may be experiencing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and psychosis.

How are you? sad? stressed? anxious? worried? feeling hopeless? angry? tearful? overwhelmed?

If so, there are many different types of support out there and a Mental Health First Aider can help you access them.

Your Mental Health First Aiders are:

• Anita Root, Designate Nurse Safeguarding Children and LAC
• Emma Harnett, Macmillan Primary Care Nurse Facilitator / Workforce and Education Lead Nurse
• Jacqui Clements, Executive Assistant to the Director of ICP Development – OHCP
• Naomi Hunt, Medicines Team Administrator
• Sarah Gascoigne, Executive Assistant to the Director of Transformation
• Steff Monk, Senior Communications Officer

Our newly certified Mental Health First Aiders are now on hand to provide support to colleagues who may be in need of a friendly ear. They are trained to:

• recognise issues associated with mental ill health
• listen and be non-judgemental
• encourage conversations around the topic
• identify the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions
• signpost people to professional help

Mental Health First Aiders are a point of contact if you, or someone you are concerned about, are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. They are not therapists or counsellors but can give you initial support and signpost you to appropriate help if required.

Naomi Hunt said of the training: “The course has taught me that we all have times when we struggle with our mental health, but there is always someone out there who can help. That’s why I wanted to become a Mental Health First Aider. It is okay not to be okay and there is always someone there if you want to talk.”

Your health and wellbeing is important to us, which is why we want to create a positive environment where you feel safe, comfortable and supported in speaking out about mental health issues.

That’s why last year, the CCG made a pledge to an organisation called Time to Change, to commit to changing attitudes and breaking down stigma surrounding poor mental health in the workplace.

For more information about other support services (including out-of-hours), visit the Health and wellbeing support page on AskHUE.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be introducing you to each of our Mental Health First Aiders. We’ll also be adding their details to AskHUE as well as a desktop screensaver – so watch this space!