Trinity Homecare supports Mental Health in the Workplace
A group of our office and field support teams recently joined a training session on First Aid for Mental Health as part of Trinity Homecare’s continued commitment to support mental health in the workplace.
At Trinity Homecare, we are serious about supporting each other as we go through challenging times. We are working together to reduce the stigma associated with poor mental health. Our mental health champions are there to support the wider team of care workers and office staff and to provide guidance around signposting and getting access to professional help if required.
Some of the main points we took away were that everyone will go through poor mental health at some point in their life, just as we do with our physical health. And importantly, we were reminded that mental health problems can be treated.
“I have taken away the fact that it is important for onlookers to take a “standpoint” if they see that someone’s mental health is deteriorating due to his work environment. I’m more aware of the signs that someone might be suffering inside. We are not only Mental Health First Aiders but also role models promoting the right behaviours to maintain good mental health“
The First Aid for Mental Health Course equipped our mental health champions to:
- Preserve life where someone could be a danger to their own life or others
- Alleviate suffering by providing immediate comfort and support
- Prevent the condition from developing into a more serious problem
- Promote recovery of good mental health by signposting and obtaining professional support.
Sometimes all it takes is for someone listen to us and to have a chance to talk through our problems. This course put great emphasis on the use of non-judgemental communication techniques, which equipped our champions to become better listeners.
Good mental health should be important to us all, and although there are many professional support strategies available to help someone, we can all encourage each other to take good care of ourselves. Some self-help techniques include:
- Being active and getting enough regular exercise – walking is great!
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Avoiding excessive use of alcohol, drugs and caffeine
- Getting enough sleep
- Being social and interacting with others
- Joining peer or support groups
- Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques
- Giving to others
Mindfulness is paying more attention to the present moment, to your feelings, thoughts and the work around you. In important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies – waking up to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment.
The feedback from our colleagues who attended the Mental Health First Aid course was very positive and everyone took something away from it.
“The content of the session was broken down and explained so it could be fully absorbed by all the participants. Knowing that we have a team of trained Mental Health First Aiders who are our “go-to people” and ambassadors of a healthy work environment will hopefully cascade quickly, so we can take full advantage of it across the business. It shows that Trinity cares about our employees’ mental health just as well we care about their physical health”
“I’ve learned that it is so important to create a positive environment at work where people CAN discuss mental health, and now I do understand how to react to different situations that might be stressful. The training taught me how to support myself and others during and after a difficult event”
If you or a colleague is going through a time of poor mental health, and you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, an eating disorder or another mental health problem, please reach out to one of our champions or seek professional advice by contacting your GP.
Signs of Stress
- Anxiety, frustration or anger
- Lack of concentration
- Tiredness or restlessness
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Muscle tension, headaches, nausea
- Social withdrawal
Signs of Depression
- Avoiding social contact
- Not doing well at work
- Continued low mood/tearfulness
- Feeling hopeless
- Lack of interest in people/events
- Under or overeating
- Disturbed sleep/Low sex drive
- Lack of energy/Muscle aches
Signs of Anxiety
- Feeling tense/unable to relax
- Irritability and lack of concentration
- Fast/strong/irregular heartbeat
- Sweating, Nausea, Headaches
- Panic attacks
- Dizziness/Tiredness
- Trembling/Shaking
“I really enjoyed taking part in the Mental Health First Aid training, and as a Manager of quite a large team, I feel the training has equipped me with a practical approach in spotting and responding to the mental and physical health needs of a colleague experiencing a mental health issue”
Mental Health Employee Stress Helpline available 24/7, 7 days a week
We also have our Employee Stress Helpline available 24/7, 7 days a week where you can speak to a councillor or advisor outside of Trinity Homecare. The service provides legal, financial, consumer and personal advice in confidence and free of charge.
Call: (+44) 0345 074 2799
You can find helpful mental health guidance and support on the internet: |
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| Mind www.mind.org.uk
The Samaritans |
Let’s take care of ourselves and each other to make Trinity Homecare an even better, supportive work environment, where it is safe to speak up about our mental health and where we can get help if we need it
Mental Health First Aid Champions at Trinity Homecare
- Barbara Baig (Live-in Care Manager)
- Claire Ferguson (Daily Care Area Manager)
- Janet McMorrow (Daily Lead Coordinator)
- Ashley Tasker (Live-in Bookings Manager)
- Liz Head (Guildford Coordinator)
- Shona Kendall (Team Leader)
- Cara Silvester (Team Leader)
- Razia Tegally (Recruitment Team Leader)
- Estelle Greeff (Recruitment Administrator)
- Ed Pithie (Marketing Manager)
- Eliska Kopp (Accounts Manager)
- Marissa Esterhuysen (Learning and Development Manager)
- Lee Patmore (Digital Marketing Executive)
“The training provided me with a deep understanding to the causes and impacts of mental health problems. As Trinity’s business is people, I think it’s really important that we place major importance on our staff’s mental health and ensure we have people in the business who can to identify any problems, be able to start a understanding conversation with those struggling, and know the right initial advice to give them”
Trinity Homecare has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by CQC. If you would like to join our team take a look at our jobs section.
