Nine of Centristic’s key staff team have undertaken a Level 2 Mental Health First Aid training course, boosting the number of our staff with skills in this vital area. 

The one-day course on 9^th March covered topics such as risk factors for mental health issues; common mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and stress; crisis first aid; non-judgmental listening skills and communication strategies; self-care and promoting good mental health.

The training was ably provided by The Focus Group, based close to our office and fabrication plant at Heathfield.  The course included how to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues, how to provide initial support and practical help, and how to guide individuals towards professional help when necessary.

According to the mental health charity Mind, in England, 1 in 6 people will experience a common mental health problem in any given week.  These can range from anxiety and depression to PTSD, phobias, OCD, stress and panic.

As well as a human issue, mental health is a business issue.  ONS data reveals that 12.4% of all workplace absence can be attributed to mental health concerns.

The UK construction industry in particular is known to have a high prevalence of mental health issues.  A May 2020 study by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) found that in the previous year 87% of those surveyed had experienced anxiety, 91% felt overwhelmed and 26% had experienced suicidal thoughts.  There is also a significant stigma surrounding mental health, with many workers feeling uncomfortable discussing their mental health issues with colleagues or seeking professional help.

Employers and industry leaders can play a crucial role in promoting mental health awareness and reducing the stigma by implementing mental health policies, providing training and support for employees, and creating a culture of openness and support.

Operations Director James Hepworth commented, “This is a hugely important subject to our business and indeed every business. Mental health is at the forefront of what we do every day, and we need to be equipped to support and promote the mental health of our team members, just as we do their physical health and wellbeing at work.  Centristic has an open-door policy for our staff to discuss mental health issues, without the fear of being stigmatised. Equipping our staff team with these skills will also help us to be proactive in identifying those in need of support.”

The following links provide further information and sources of support for mental health:

https://www.ciob.org/industry/research/Understanding-Mental-Health-Built-Environment

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://andysmanclub.co.uk/