For World Mental Health Day, we talk to our learner support manager and dedicated mental health first aider Sharon Hearst.

 

 

How long have you been a mental health first aider?

Five years - I was interested in mental health of young people and making sure our apprentices had someone they could talk to.

I am passionate about encouraging a holistic approach to our apprenticeships so as a training provider we make sure we are not only supporting their career development but also supporting their personal development and helping them if they have any other issues.

Out of all the sessions I do, the mental health awareness is the most useful.

 

Why is World Mental Health Day important?

Every day is important for mental health! But having World Mental Health Day draws attention to something that is as important as physical health. You cannot be a healthy person overall if you don’t also look after your mental health.

 

How do you find the apprentices engage with talking about mental health?

As part of the mental health awareness session, I cover a range of different mental health conditions and how these may present themselves. I make sure they know that it is a safe space, and even with peers I am always surprised at how many open up! Once one person starts to talk, it encourages others to share their experiences too.

As we are a small training provider, our training officers build a strong rapport with their apprentices, so they have another friendly face to talk to. Because I also complete the induction sessions for new learners, I am a familiar person for them to talk to right from the start.

 

What are the barriers to people talking about mental health?

There is sadly still a huge stigma around mental health, especially in work where people are worried that their mental health may impact how they are treated in the workplace. I see examples where individuals will not mention their mental health conditions on job applications for fear of not getting the job.

Older apprentices can also still have the views of appearing “strong” and “stiff upper lip” and therefore not talking if they aren’t doing too well – but I also see this in young men who carry this mindset from parental influences.

 

What should we be doing to tackle these barriers?

All employers should be educated on mental health and how to support people. The industry has a higher-than-average suicide rate so this awareness is really important and will have an immediate positive impact. Being open minded and talking to each other should become part of our culture both in and out of work.

There should be a real push so that everyone has awareness of support that is out there, but especially in work everyone should have a trusted person to speak to.

 

How do you try to tackle these barriers?

I will always share my personal experiences, and how I would have handled things differently if I’d had the knowledge then that I do now, and what difference that would have made.
It helps to make apprentices feel that they are not alone, and mental health issues can happen to anybody. I am looking to get a male member of staff to also join in these sessions to further emphasise these shared experienced.

 

What support is there?

There are so many out there, but here are a few I tend to recommend:

Hub of Hope – https://hubofhope.co.uk/  -  this is a national mental health database. If you enter location and it will give you all your local services wherever you are, and it is also available as an app.

Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk/ - the website has information about different mental health conditions which is really thorough and offers support for everyone

Kooth – https://www.kooth.com/ -   This is specific for young people where is offers support service via online chat –and it uses qualified counsellors.

The Mix – https://www.themix.org.uk/ -  Digital support service for under 25s – not just mental health but other wellness areas too: money, sexual health, drugs, - all of these can contribute to your mental health, and there is also a crisis chat on the website too.

Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/   accessible to everyone 24/7 – experienced people who can support people experiencing the extremes of mental health and  support with suicide prevention.

We are also hosting a Big Brew event with charity Band of Builders in December – to give an opportunity to talk, but also to raise awareness of available support further, especially ahead of Christmas which can be a tough time.

 

What is your advice to someone to help look after their mental health?

Always talk to someone about things. Go outside and be with nature, and take part in some physical activity – no matter how small.

Utilise online support – there is so much out there whether it be completely anonymous, or online counselling services.

But if you are suffering and it continues – please don’t be scared to seek medical advice.

And finally, what do you do to help look after your own mental health?

I follow my own advice, and I walk my dog near water and trees – and talk to my sister!