How our Mental Health First Aiders support colleague wellbeing
26 January 2024
Everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes. At Exemplar Health Care, our trained Mental Health First Aiders are here to listen, offer reassurance, and help colleagues find the support they need.
Working in care can be incredibly rewarding, but we know it can also be challenging.
That’s why supporting our colleagues’ mental health and wellbeing is so important to us.
As part of our colleague wellbeing programme, we invest in training Mental Health First Aiders across our care homes and support teams, so colleagues have someone they can turn to when they need a little extra support.
Every year, our Mental Health First Aiders support hundreds of colleagues, helping them feel heard, understood, and supported.
What is mental health first aid?
Mental health first aid is about recognising when someone might be struggling with their mental health and knowing how to offer support.
Just as physical first aid helps someone who’s injured or unwell, mental health first aid provides initial support to someone experiencing emotional distress or mental health difficulties.
This might include:
- stress and anxiety
- depression and low mood
- panic attacks
- trauma and difficult life experiences
- other challenges affecting someone’s mental health and wellbeing.
Mental Health First Aiders aren’t counsellors or therapists. Instead, they’re trained to listen without judgement, offer reassurance, and help people access further support when needed.
Dawn, Mental Health First Aider, shares how this support can make a difference:
Colleagues I’ve supported have thanked me for listening and helping them find additional support. One colleague told me they hadn’t known who to turn to before, but having someone there made them feel supported.”
What does a Mental Health First Aider do?
Our Mental Health First Aiders receive training through Mental Health First Aid England, helping them recognise the signs that someone may be struggling and respond with care and understanding.
They’re there to:
- Listen without judgement – giving colleagues a safe space to talk about how they’re feeling.
- Offer reassurance – helping colleagues feel heard, understood, and less alone.
- Recognise when someone needs support – noticing signs that a colleague might be struggling.
- Help colleagues find further support – signposting to appropriate services and resources.
- Encourage positive wellbeing – sharing practical ways to look after mental health and wellbeing.
Some of our Mental Health First Aiders also organise wellbeing activities in their homes, including Wellbeing Wednesdays and ‘tea and natter’ mornings, creating opportunities for colleagues to connect and check in with each other.
Dan, Mental Health First Aider, explains why simply being there matters:
We give people time to talk and let things out. We don’t try to fix everything. Sometimes, just listening, offering guidance, and being there is enough. I want colleagues to know I’m here whenever they need someone to talk to, without any pressure.”
Who can access support?
Every Exemplar Health Care colleague can access support from a Mental Health First Aider, whatever their role or where they work.
Whether someone’s having a difficult day, feeling overwhelmed, or going through a challenging time, our Mental Health First Aiders are there to listen and help them take the next step towards getting support.
Colleagues can also access additional mental health and wellbeing support through our wider colleague wellbeing programme.
Could you become a Mental Health First Aider?
We’re always looking for colleagues who’d like to make a difference by supporting the mental health and wellbeing of others.
Anyone can train to become a Mental Health First Aider, whatever their role or experience.
The nationally recognised training helps colleagues develop valuable skills in recognising mental health difficulties, listening without judgement, and supporting others.
These skills can make a difference not just at work, but in everyday life too.
Supporting our colleagues to feel their best
Looking after our colleagues is an important part of creating a positive, supportive workplace where everyone can thrive.
Our Mental Health First Aiders are just one way we’re helping colleagues feel valued, listened to, and supported.
Find out more about our commitment to colleague wellbeing and the support available when you work at Exemplar Health Care.
Could your next role be with us?
Explore opportunities to grow, feel valued, and make a lasting difference to the lives of others.
