MHFA training increasingly puts in place robust support options for employees by the introduction of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs), who are colleagues from across the business who, in addition to their usual responsibilities, volunteer to undertake the role.
The demand for training is far surpassing what anyone outside of the H&S and Mental Health Awareness community in the CWU thought it would be, and just shows the level of mental health awareness within the Royal Mail Group through the work of both the Union and Royal Mail management.
Sadly, with the lack of mental health support being provided by the NHS which is strapped for cash and with the majority of the NHS putting out to private sector, counseling services; it is so difficult for people to get the support they need.
This is where CWU Mental Health First Aiders come into their own - providing support to people who are on the precipice of despair, and literally saving lives!
Now the NW Parcels hub has the highest ratio of MHFAiders of any large Royal Mail site in the UK, with48 CWU trained MHFAiders in 18 months from this 1 site alone.
Thanks to CWU HS Rep Karl Maginn working with Olivia, Josh, and Jen from the site management team this major site is now fast approaching the 1 in 20 number ratio of MHFAs on a site that has just over 1, 000 employees!
The training course in the photos was tutored by Jamie McGovern, and Ady Prins.
