Will you consider having a mental health first aider?

This week, on 13th November, at First Response (First Aid) Ltd in Warwickshire, we are recognising World Kindness Day.

Kindness UK believes that every day should be filled with kindness.  World Kindness Day aims to increase the value of kindness in society as well as increase the amount of kind acts that take place nationwide, making kindness a greater part day to day life. 

Gary Lineker said, “Every act of kindness is potent and lingers long in the heart of the recipient.”

Psychologists at the University of Sussex have confirmed that the warm glow of kindness is real, even when there’s nothing in it for you. In their study, published in industry journals, they undertook a major analysis of existing research showing the brain scans relating to over 1000 people making kind decisions. For the first time, they split the analysis between what happens in the brain when people act out of genuine altruism – where there’s nothing in it for them – and when they act with strategic kindness – when there is something to be gained as a consequence.

As trained and qualified First Aiders, we practice this genuine altruism every day, our training kicks in to help others when they need it.  Recently at First Response (First Aid) Ltd we have been focusing on our new Mental Health First Aid training courses.  Kindness is key when showing support to those in need.  Our Mental Health First Aid courses (currently running in Telford and Birmingham) teach us to be a little more kind towards each other, to stop and ask how someone is and most importantly to listen non-judgementally to their reply.

Every company in Warwickshire will consider having a physical first aider but what about a mental health first aider?

Did you know UK business can save £8 billion per year by implementing better mental health wellbeing support in the workplace? 

Mental Health First Aid in the workplace is the mental health equivalent of physical first aid. First Response (First Aid) Ltd’s courses are internationally recognised and accredited, developed by Mental Health First Aid England. They are designed to for those working with adults and young people to raise the awareness of mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Attending one of our six First Response (First Aid) Ltd Mental Health First Aid training courses will provide individuals with:

• the practical skills, knowledge and confidence to recognise the symptoms of mental health issues
• effectively support anyone experiencing mental distress
• information on how to guide those experiencing problems towards seeking appropriate professional help.

All participants will receive a mental health first aid certificate.

Mind, a mental health charity, indicates that one in four of us are likely to experience a mental health problem each year which is likely to impact on our ability to work.

On World Kindness Day, both as individuals and as businesses, let’s consider how we can demonstrate more kindness both to ourselves and others.

If this is something your organisation is interested in, please get in touch for more information on 01543 372888 or visit this page of our website.