Skanska highways employees who have undertaken a mental health first aid course can now display a sticker on their hard hat while on site under a new initiative to raise awareness.
The infrastructure giant said it has been working since 2016 with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, a social enterprise that offers expert guidance and training to support mental health.
Since that time more than 55% of its employees have been trained on the organisation’s Mental Health Aware course or as Mental Health First Aiders.
It said the launch of ‘this simple signposting initiative’ further supports its commitment to increasing awareness around mental health and removing the stigma surrounding it.
The initiative has been rolled out across Skanska’s £255m M42 Junction 6 Improvement Scheme for National Highways, where the scheme’s health, safety and wellbeing manager, Ken Reid, came up with the idea.
Mental health first aiders Paul Chambers and Ken Reid (right) sporting their stickers
The firm said that of the hundred or so people currently working on the project, eight are Mental Health First Aiders.
They will display their sticker on their helmets so that everyone on site will know who they can talk to if they need support.
Mr Reid said: ‘Having our mental health first aiders visible on site is helping to normalise conversations around mental ill health and remove the stigma surrounding it. The sticker easily identifies those who are trained and can provide support. People know who to speak to quickly, and if necessary, discreetly, so that they can get the help they need.’
Skanska UK highways director Glennan Blackmore said: 'Ken’s idea of stickers identifying mental health first aiders is such a simple one but the impact for those on site could be potentially life changing. My hope is that this initiative will be adopted across the industry, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental ill health.'
MHFA England chief executive Simon Blake said: ‘It is wonderful to see Skanska’s ongoing commitment to the mental health of its people. Its ambition to train its staff in mental health awareness is impressive.
‘The training will only create change if people know where to turn if they need support and feel safe and confident doing so. This initiative helps that. I love the simplicity of it and hope that it will be rolled out more widely across the sector.’
National Highways programme leader Anita Prashar said: ‘At National Highways we want everyone to get home safe and well. This is a great initiative and we’re delighted to support it. The mental health of our colleagues is incredibly important.’
More information about MHFA England training is available at mhfaengland.org.
