Kyocera Document Solutions UK has committed to improving workplace mental health by participating in mental health first aid (MHFA) courses.
In February, 17 employees across various departments and levels took part in the two-day course. In addition, Julia Allen, organisational and people development partner at Kyocera Document Solutions UK, recently qualified as a MHFA instructor which allows her to deliver courses in the workplace.
Kyocera Document Solutions UK also plans to deliver awareness training for line managers so that they can ensure the early detection of mental health problems in their teams.
Rod Tonna-Barthet, CEO of Kyocera Document Solutions UK, recently signed the MHFA England’s Where’s Your Head At? workplace manifesto, a campaign that demonstrates employer’s commitment to workplace wellbeing.
Amanda Childs, HR group director at Kyocera Document Solutions UK, said: “Understanding and caring for our own mental health is a hugely important part of being human and has been neglected by many for a long time. The issue has been that, unlike physical health, when it comes to mental health, it isn’t as clear who you can turn to, particularly in the workplace. Add to this the perceived stigma attached to mental health issues, and it’s easy to see why so many suffer in silence. However, it is positive to see so many organisations including ours increasing their awareness of the impact the workplace can have of the mental health of staff.
“Following our participation in the MHFA course, we will be taking the time over the next year to implement a programme of sharing knowledge, understanding and practising the necessary emotional first aid to support people when they feel impacted. We hope that this approach and the subsequent learning, will in time help us to build a more inclusive organisation that can empower employees to not only improve their mental health, but also reduce any such work-related conditions that might have given rise to mental health in the first place.”