Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
Some of you may already know that last week was mental health awareness week. At Midland Fire we aim to make our workplace as enjoyable and stress free as possible. We work to live, not live to work.
As part of our ongoing commitment to workplace mental health we have put measures in place to help our employees should they require it.
Mental Health Training
Through our accreditation and certification providers, we offer CPD certified training to all employees. This includes training sessions and seminars covering mental health awareness for employees and managers.
Pete Walker – Midland Fire Project Support Manager / Electrical QS, completed Managing Mental Health and Wellbeing course provided by the NICEIC during Mental Health Awareness Week:
“My role at Midland Fire includes helping manage teams of electricians and fire alarm engineers on demanding projects throughout the Midlands. The wellbeing of our staff is extremely important – Even more so when you consider the service that we provide and importance of life safety.
The course focused on identifying the signs and symptoms of people experiencing mental ill-health and how to open up a conversation. During the training the chat boxes were an open forum giving opportunity to discuss mental health concerns with others in the industry – vital to understanding concerns of real employees in a supportive environment. It also highlighted the support services available to all Midland Fire employees and electricians through charities like the Electrical Industries Charity – offering specific support to those in our industry alongside the work of Samaritans and Mind Charities open to all.”
Other CPD training courses covering mental health are available throughout the year to all Midland Fire Employees.
Mental Health Support Insurance
As part of our ECA membership, Midland Fire provide Bupa Private Medical Insurance to our employees. Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available. This includes a free and confidential helpline for members of the Bupa PMU scheme that can be accessed 24 hours a day / 7 days per week. The helpline can assist with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression and financial concerns.
Need support with your mental health?
If you are a Midland Fire employee and have concerns that you are comfortable discussing with us please let us know and we can have a conversation in confidence.
If you need support regarding mental health and would like to speak to someone outside of the business – the following services are available:
For our Bupa insured employees please visit the website below for more information about getting support or speak to one of the Management team for details:
https://www.bupa.co.uk/mental-health
Support services and charities
Electrical Industries Charity:
A charity specifically set up for people in the electrical industries. You can call 0800 652 1618 for assistance or visit the Electrical Charity website for more information https://www.electricalcharity.org/
Samaritans
Call 116 123 or for more information is available here: https://www.samaritans.org/
Mind
Visit the Mind website for details. There are a few different numbers depending on the kind of support you need.
https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
NHS Support Services
The NHS offer counselling and therapy services for anyone in the UK experiencing mental health issues. You can speak to your GP or self-refer yourself to the NHS talking therapies service for anxiety and depression (formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, IAPT).
