A Kent-based Mercedes-Benz dealership has given advice on how companies can support employees who may be struggling with their wellbeing as part of Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May).
Sparshatt Truck and Van, which has depots in Dartford, Sittingbourne, Ashford and Tonbridge, has qualified mental health first aiders, who are on hand to talk to their colleagues and offer them guidance towards the appropriate resources.
Operating as a mental health first aider alongside their full-time role, these fully trained employees are now a point of contact for anybody within the workforce who is experiencing a mental health issue.
Across the UK, more than 900,000 people experienced work-related anxiety, stress or depression between 2021 and 2022, according to the Mental Health Foundation. The introduction of mental health first aiders by Sparshatt Truck and Van is part of its work to help advance employee wellbeing.
Kevin Wise, general manager at Sittingbourne and Ashford and mental health first aider, said: “It is a very important step for us as a company to have identified individuals who are there to support colleagues and feel that they can come to with any issue, be it in relation to the workplace or workload, or a personal issue outside of the work environment.
“I have an open-door policy and as a trained mental health first aider I will always look to support from the moment somebody opens up until they are better.”
The training has enabled Wise to understand mental health and all of its subcategories better, and to know the early signs as well as how issues can manifest.
“This can range from out of character behaviour such as a punctual employee suddenly being late, lower energy levels and loss of appetite, to out of character tiredness, change in mood and withdrawal from social activity.
“Personally, I find it incredibly rewarding to see somebody who opened up to me coming through the appropriate resources until they are well – we have regular review meetings to catch up throughout the process just to make sure they’re doing OK.”
It’s not just managers who are trained up and Sparshatt Truck and Van has workshop controllers, HR professionals and apprentice mentors who have all undertaken the same training.
“This is important as not everybody feels comfortable talking to a senior manager about any issues they may be facing,” Wise stated.
Sparshatt Truck and Van has 19 designated mental health first aiders; part of its work to instil a culture of openness, dialogue and understanding across its four locations.
The training given to employees has led to greater understanding of the complexities of mental health issues across the board.
Sarah Hayward, Sparshatt Truck and Van’s academy pastoral care and learning coach, said: “Poor mental health is one of the biggest causes of sickness in the workplace today.
“Being able to discuss any problems that are being bottled up gives people an emotional release, helping them to understand that the feelings they are experiencing are not out of the ordinary, setting them on the pathway to recover.
“Within Sparshatt Truck and Van we have a very positive mental health culture, where we are all encouraged to be open about our feelings with no judgement by others.”
