Leading the way with Mental Health First Aiders [MHFA’s]

Seras are pioneers in mental health first aider training. The first mental health first aiders [MHFA’s] were trained in 2023 and the business continues to improve and expand on those solid foundations.

In early August, seven more employees from across Seras’ sites (including Rotherham, Swansea, Tilbury and Widnes) participated in a comprehensive two-day training course aimed at enhancing the availability of mental health first aiders across the business. Thorough training equipped employees with the necessary skills to support colleagues experiencing mental health issues.

Training covered the following key areas:

• Identification and understanding of mental health issues: Participants learned to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems.
• Development of confidence and skills: The course provided the confidence to approach and support individuals in need, even in crisis situations.
• Empowerment of others: Attendees were trained on how to effectively signpost services for management and recovery.
• Promotion of wellbeing: The training emphasized supporting positive mental health and tackling stigma within the workplace.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with one attendee stating, “The course was very informative and provided a good understanding of the role of a mental health first aider.”

Richard Jenkins, CEO of Seras said, “We now have over 30 mental health first aiders across our business. I’m very proud of that and it’s such an important area, which ties in closely with our core values of taking care, accomplishing more, being stronger together and being a future thinking business.

Mental wellbeing affects everyone. Seras take both the mental and physical wellbeing of our employees seriously and work hard to make sure our team of mental health first aiders receive the very best training to support colleagues effectively in times of need.”

All of the Seras MHFA’s are volunteers who understand the importance of looking after the mental wellbeing of teams across the business. Their commitment will provide valuable support and guidance to colleagues in need, ensuring mental health remains a top priority now and into the future.