Thursday 10th October marked World Mental Health Day and Prime showed its support for better mental health and wellbeing by hosting a ‘Tea and Talk’ session.
The session provided the opportunity for staff to take time out with each other over tea and cake, as well as offering the opportunity for smaller group discussions and one-to-one chats.
Prime is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of all employees and takes this commitment one step further by offering resilience training through The Wellbeing Project. It also provides Mental Health First Aid training via Mental Health England and now has eight fully qualified Mental Health First Aiders.
To mark World Mental Health Day, we spoke to our Mental Health First Aiders to find out what the day means to them.
Leighton Chumbley, Chief Executive
What does the day mean to you?
It provides a great opportunity to encourage people to talk about mental health issues. Having two teenage boys, it’s noticeable how far we’ve moved on in that generation. It is no longer a taboo subject and we can all talk more freely.
What is the importance of being one of Prime’s Mental Health First Aiders?
We have recognised that the wellbeing of our staff has a direct and positive impact on the wellbeing of the organisation itself. As Chief Executive, to be trained to recognise where the strains are being felt within the business and then not being afraid to talk about those issues has been hugely beneficial. We also recognise that our business works as part of larger teams with external organisations and the wellbeing of the people within those is also of great importance to us.
Liz Squibb, Executive Assistant
What does the day mean to you?
World Mental Health Day gives us an opportunity to continue to break the stigma around mental health issues. People talk frequently about medical conditions but rarely about how they really feel. How you feel inside directly affects how you interact with your family, friends and colleagues. Talking, listening and sharing your thoughts and concerns helps build stronger relationships, understanding and improves our wellbeing.
What is the importance of being one of Prime’s Mental Health First Aiders?
As a Mental Health First Aider, I recognise it’s hard to take the first step to talk to someone. Mental Health First Aiders are trained to spot the early signs of mental health issues and then ask the question – how are you really? We can offer initial support and then signpost people to appropriate help if required.
Hannah Cashmore, Financial Controller
What is the importance of being one of Prime’s Mental Health First Aiders?
As everyone is aware, mental ill-health is more common than general conversation would suggest. Being a Mental Health First Aider, to me, is more about prevention. I am driven to prevent others from getting to their lowest point. It’s always great to feel like you’ve helped someone either through prevention or support during recovery. We’re all still finding our feet with the role so currently, breaking down the barriers to give people the confidence to talk about what’s going on in their lives is important.
Ian Ireland, Senior Asset Manager
What does the day mean to you?
World Mental Health Day epitomises the need for mental health to be openly and honestly discussed. Mental health is as important as physical health, yet all too often it is seen as a taboo subject, one to be acknowledged but then locked away in a cupboard. Finally, it is being given the level of seriousness it deserves.
What is the importance of being one of Prime’s Mental Health First Aiders?
Prime is a driven and thriving business, staffed by some of the best people in the industry. As a forward-thinking organisation, Prime is committed to providing wellbeing initiatives; however, the strains of everyday life affect everyone differently. For me, being one of Prime’s Mental Health First Aiders allows me to contribute to companywide wellbeing, offering support to anyone in need.
Wendy Teo, Marketing and Communications Director
What does the day mean to you?
World Mental Health Day is a reminder to invest in our relationships because they reward our mental wellbeing and help protect those around us.
What is the importance of being one of Prime’s Mental Health First Aiders?
Being a Mental Health First Aider means knowing I could help turn a crisis around or even save a life.
Toni Barratt, Head of Human Resources
What does the day mean to you?
It is an opportunity for everyone to recognise that it is ok to talk about mental health as well as physical health problems and an opportunity to promote activities that contribute to people’s mental wellbeing.
What is the importance of being one of Prime’s Mental Health First Aiders?
It’s really positive that Prime has decided to support mental wellbeing and to invest in training Mental Health First Aiders. It shows staff are important and acknowledges that work plays a part in people’s mental wellbeing.
The course itself helped my own personal development and understanding and has made me think about mental health differently. It’s a step in hopefully helping to reduce the stigma around mental health in the work environment. It’s a responsibility I take very seriously and appreciate how difficult it may be for people to ask for help. If I can help or signpost someone to where they can access professional help which makes them feel better, it will make me feel good and that I have done something worthwhile.
