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Writer's pictureMirren Dougan

Staff trained as Mental Health First Aiders

Did you know that two people working in construction in the UK die by suicide every day? That's over 700 people each year. (Stats via Mates in Mind)


At CarmchaelUK we understand the importance of mental health awareness and support, and want to be the leaders of change within the construction and civil engineering industry. It's for this reason that we have trained each and every internal staff member as a Mental Health First Aider, but what does a mental health first aider do?


The role of a Mental Health First Aider in the workplace is to be a point of contact for an employee who is experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. This interaction could range from having an initial conversation through to supporting the person to get appropriate help.



We recently trained our


The course teaches you a range of skills that you can apply to any situation where you feel someone's mental health is at risk, such as ALGEE. ALGEE is a 5 step action plan to help you approach a situation where you believe Mental Health First Aid is necessary, the acronym stands for:

  • A - Approach the person, assess and assist with any crisis

  • L - Listen and communicate non-judgementally

  • G - Give support and information

  • E - Encourage the person to get appropriate professional help

  • E - Encourage other supports

Here are some support lines that could be useful for you, or someone you know:


Samaritans

  • www.samaritans.org

  • 116 123 (free to call from within the UK and Ireland), 24 hours a day

  • Email: jo@samaritans.org

Mind

  • www.mind.org.uk

  • InfoLine: 0300 123 3393 to call, or text 86463

  • Email info@mind.org.uk

Rethink Mental Illness (Rethink was formerly called the National Schizophrenia Fellowship)

  • www.rethink.org

  • National Advice Service: 0300 5000 927 (Open 9:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday)

  • Email advice@rethink.org

PAPYRUS UK

  • www.papyrus-uk.org

  • Helpline: 0800 068 4141

  • Text: 07860039967

  • Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

YoungMinds

  • www.youngminds.org.uk

  • Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm, excluding bank holidays)

  • YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: text YM to 85258 (available 24/7)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

  • www.thecalmzone.net

  • Helpline: 0800 58 58 58

  • Webchat: www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/


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