Sheffield’s Taylor&Emmet LLP is investing in the wellbeing of its 200-plus staff by training two employees as qualified mental health first aiders.
The pair are the first at the firm to complete an internationally recognised mental health first aid course and will be available to support colleagues struggling with issues of this nature.
Taylor&Emmet’s head of HR, Sharna Poxon and facilities manager, Lee Stacey, have both passed the two-day course, developed by Mental Health First Aid England and additional employees are expected to follow suit. It equips them with practical skills to recognise mental health issues, provide effective support to a colleague in distress and encourage those with problems to seek professional help.
Sharna said: “We have a strong sense of community within the firm and recognise our responsibility as an employer to raise awareness of mental health in the workplace. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 and 65% of our male colleagues fall into this bracket. We want to reduce the stigma that prevents many people speaking up about issues that are affecting them and help our colleagues realise it’s good to talk.”
The course completed by the firm’s mental health first aiders was run by Sheffield’s Westfield Health. It teaches delegates to spot the early signs of distress, feel confident in helping someone, prevent the person causing harm to themselves or others and stop issues becoming worse.
To find out more about Taylor&Emmet’s mental health initiatives, telephone (0114) 218 4000, visit www.tayloremmet.co.uk or follow the firm on Twitter, @TaylorEmmet.
