Gi Group to Train 100 Mental Health First Aiders

At Gi Group, we are placing a huge focus on employee wellbeing this year by investing in training almost 100 Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA).

With close to 500 people working at Gi Group in the UK, we recently supported our Group Head of Learning & Development, Emma-Louise Taylor, through a Mental Health First Aid England training programme to qualify as an MHFA Instructor.

Having been part of our organisation for 19 years, Emma’s qualification as a MHFA Instructor allows her to deliver training both internally and externally for customers and partners. The evidence-based training is designed to equip our team with the skills to spot the signs of poor mental health, the confidence to start a conversation about mental wellbeing and the knowledge to signpost to appropriate support.

Already, the training has led to 45 qualified MHFAs, with a further 55 planned over the next six months – which will equate to one MHFA for every 10 employees, hitting the target set out by MHFA England.

Emma explained that it is incredibly important for businesses to be investing in their team’s wellbeing, particularly given the rising levels of post-pandemic ill health amongst Gen Z workers.

She said: “At Gi Group, we’re proud to be taking a proactive approach towards caring for our employee’s wellbeing and supporting each individual through their personal mental health experiences in and outside of work. The working landscape has shifted dramatically in the last few years, and we want to do all we can to ensure we’re providing support for all our people, especially given the recent statistics around ill health in employees at work.”

It’s predicted that most adults spend at least a third of their time at work. Poor mental health within the workplace is estimated to cost UK employers up to £56 billion each year, yet for every £1 spent by employers on mental health interventions, they get back £5.30 in reduced absence, presenteeism, and staff turnover[1].

“We hope by training our team as MHFAs and having them readily available across our network, it will deepen a supportive ‘family’ feel where our teams know they can rely on guidance and a sympathetic ear whenever they may need it. The workplace is a huge part of our lives, a place we spend a large majority of our time, so we want to ensure it’s a space where colleagues can talk freely about mental health and seek support when they need it, without any judgement.”

At the end of 2024, we will have at least one MHFAs for each of our 85 locations throughout UK.

[1] https://mhfaengland.org/organisations/workplace/