05.05.2021, 12:17
Championing Workplace Mental Health
Aramark Northern Europe is introducing Mental Health Champions as part of its long-standing effort to support employees struggling with mental health difficulties.
The new champions will support all businesses that come under the Aramark Northern Europe structure in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and offshore.
Following on from Aramark’s annual mental health campaign, TAKE15, employees were asked to register their interest in becoming a Mental Health Champion and over 40 employees have now been trained by Connect 2 Care to provide peer-to-peer support to colleagues struggling with their mental health. Aramark’s Mental Health Champions are employees who are passionate about challenging stigma and discrimination around mental health in the workplace.
Their role is to talk to those in the business who are struggling with their mental health and signpost them to the most appropriate support and help. They will promote positive mental health, take action to raise awareness of mental health problems amongst staff, challenge mental health stigma, and provide peer support to colleagues.
The launch of the Mental Health Champions comes ahead of UK Mental Health Week 10th – 16th May, which Aramark will be supporting through a variety of additional activities to further raise awareness.
Elbha Purcell, Director of Dietetics & Wellbeing, Aramark Northern Europe, explains: “As part of our ongoing commitment to health and wellness, where mental health and physical health are valued equally, we are delighted to be able to introduce our Mental Health Champions to the business.
“The coronavirus pandemic has had a massive impact on everyone’s lives following huge shifts in the ways that people live and work. As a result, there has been an understandable knock-on effect when it comes to people’s mental health. As more businesses start to return to their offices, we need to consider how the working environment can support staff and improve their mental health. We know it can be hard to start the conversation but speaking to a peer who has been trained with the necessary skills can have a very positive impact.”
All Mental Health Champions have been trained in mental health awareness by Connect 2 Care and will have set Continual Professional Development (CPD) training sessions monthly. There will be separate supports available to them, including fortnightly Take15 sessions/ breaks.
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