In honour of World Mental Health Day, we wanted to shed a light on our dedicated efforts to prioritising mental health in our workplace. As a company, we recognise the importance of fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for our employees. This is particularly important in today’s fast-paced world where one in four people will experience mental health challenges each year.

At AES Solar we have always taken pride in fostering a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and care. However, we realised that addressing mental health required a more structured and proactive approach. As a result, we set out on a mission to create a workplace where mental health was not only acknowledged but actively supported. We achieved this by providing mental health awareness training for all staff as well as appointing a team of dedicated Mental Health First Aiders.

Expert Guidance for Mental Health Training

To carry out this training we went to the experts. Just Support Development specialise in employee development within the area of mental health training and first aid since 2019. They have a unique approach to supporting employee development through a combination of accredited qualifications and topical themed workshops.

Their mental health awareness training provided our staff with the necessary knowledge and tools needed to recognise, understand, and respond to mental health challenges. It was important to us that this training was not only informative but also destigmatised discussions around mental health. Mental health awareness training offers many benefits both on a personal level for employees as well as on an organisational level for employers. By investing in proper mental wellbeing initiatives, you can ensure a healthy working environment where employees thrive.

Mental Health First Aiders: A Supportive Network

Appointing Mental Health First Aiders was a natural next step in our commitment to mental health support. These individuals underwent specialised training by Just Support Development, equipping them with the skills to provide immediate assistance to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or simply in need of a compassionate ear. We appointed and trained eight mental health first aiders across all departments, ensuring that everyone has a trusted resource to turn to in times of need.

A Call to the Construction Industry 

We would encourage any company to undertake training and appoint Mental Health First Aiders within their staff. We believe this particularly important for those companies working within or related to the construction industry. Construction can be a rewarding and varied industry to work in. However, pressures can be high and the hours can be long. Construction workers are more likely than average to experience work-related stress and other mental health issues. Sadly, the industry has some of the worst rates of suicide in the UK. Every day two construction workers take their own life.

Breaking Stigmas, Building Support

But things are changing. More and more construction businesses are starting to see their staff’s mental health as a priority. And there’s plenty of help, information and training available. We encourage all organisations to prioritise mental health, break the stigma, and create a supportive environment for their employees. Together, we can create workplaces where everyone can thrive, and no one feels alone in their mental health journey.

On this World Mental Health Day, we celebrate the progress we have made in creating a workplace that prioritises mental health. Our journey has taught us that investing in the well-being of our employees is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also a strategic advantage that benefits everyone.

As we move forward, we remain committed to fostering a culture of well-being and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health.

Remember, your mental health matters, and you are never alone.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this blog mental health support is available:

• The Construction Industry Helpline provided by Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity can be contacted by phone: 0345 605 1956.
• Samaritans can be contacted at any time from any phone for free: 116 123.
• You can also contact the Mates in Mind text support service. Simply text “BeAMate” to 85258 and trained volunteers are available 24/7.