10 October 2024 

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay. World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on 10 October. This year's theme is workplace mental health. It highlights the importance of acknowledging mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. To celebrate this important theme, we asked Hestia's Mental Health First Aiders a few questions about their role:

 

Why did you want to become a Mental Health First Aider?

"I wanted to support others throughout the organisation that might be struggling with their Mental Health. Knowing the complexity of the work we do, supporting service users going through crisis can really have an impact on our own mental health." - Natasha, Modern Slavery Innovations team

"I wanted to give something back to the team and Hestia by way of support and to promote the importance of self care and positive mental health which is a constant, there's never a day or time this is not needed– self care is so important, particularly in the work we do where we give so much emotionally, we also have to take care of ourselves, it's essential!" - Lisa, Modern Slavery Response Team

"I feel it is really important to break down barriers and stigma when it comes to mental health. It is such a great thing to have a network of Mental Health First Aiders and to let people know there is always someone to talk to." - Ida, Domestic Abuse Prevention team

"As someone who is passionate about self-care and looking after your mental wellbeing, I saw this opportunity as a way of raising awareness and supporting people looking for someone to talk to." - Ashleigh, Everyone's Business team

"At my age, I have been incredibly fortunate not to have suffered with my mental health but have been surrounded by people who do. I was a Trade Union official for most of my working life, and for the last 12 years a volunteer at the Samaritans. Poor mental health is a complex issue, but I firmly believe the beginning of recovery and/or understanding is created by someone offering a listening ear and empathy." - John, Volunteering team

 

What is the most rewarding thing about being a Mental Health First Aider? 

"You learn the foundations of how to help to signpost others who might need a mental health intervention, and you are an accredited Mental Health First Aider which is widely recognised." Sof, Modern Slavery Response team

"Promoting positive mental health can make such a difference to people, which removes some of the barriers and stigma associated with mental health. Seeing the positive impact on people and on how change is implemented is really rewarding." - Lisa, Modern Slavery Response team

"In a similar way to physical health first aid, one hopes not to have to use those skills. However, it is rewarding knowing that I would know how to support a colleague going through a difficult time." - Cosimo, Digital Experience team

"To know that you can make a difference, a friendly non-judgmental conversation can be the first step in the right direction." - Ida, Domestic Abuse Prevention team

"The most rewarding thing about being a Mental Health Aider is having the confidence to know what to say and to be able to help someone. It’s lovely to hear someone tell you that you have really helped them." - Michelle, Criminal Justice Services team

"Knowing that you are available and willing to support someone who might need supporting in their time of need is the most rewarding part. Quite often things don’t need to be fixed or resolved it might be that all someone wants is for someone to listen to what they’re saying and to be acknowledged as having said it." - John, Volunteering team

 

Why is it important for organisations to have Mental Health First Aiders?

"Having Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace has many benefits, such as improving employee wellbeing and productivity, lowering employee turnover, enhancing leadership skills, creating a positive workplace culture." - Natasha, Modern Slavery Innovations

"It is important so that all staff can help each others well-being and makes things more accessible with a friendlier and a less official approach." - Sof, Modern Slavery Response team

"The importance for organisations for having Mental Health Aiders are: recognising the signs of distress, providing initial support, guiding individuals/colleagues and reducing stigma and crisis intervention." - Michelle, Criminal Justice Services team

"It shows employees that Hestia are dedicated to looking after their staff and de-stigmatises the attitudes around mental health being something people can’t talk about for fear of repercussions in the workplace." - Ashleigh, Everyone's Business team

"Mental Health First Aiders are an excellent way of allowing employees to feel valued and cared for. Early intervention also allows the individual to access support quickly which in turn could give the employee the strength and confidence to share their experience which might help to reduce the stigma and raise awareness and encourage general discussion within the workplace. Feeling “awkward” talking about how you feel is natural but unhealthy and we need to encourage everyone to do it from a very early age." - John, Volunteering team

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If you are struggling with your mental health, please know, that you are not alone. You can access Hestia's London Crisis Support Directory below to access crisis cafes around the capital below:

London Crisis Support Directory