Mental Health First Aiders crucial for both customers and staff

Our Mental Health First Aiders (MFHAs) are crucial to providing an extra level of support to our customers, as well as to fellow colleagues.

Recently our MHFAs had a refresher course in how to help others, and to understand when there are issues which need addressing. Many issues can affect a person’s mental health, including social, and financial.

Income team member Ester demonstrated the importance of this training when providing support to a customer who was experiencing poor mental health due to a financial burden. She worked tirelessly to secure full Housing Benefit for a customer after months of ongoing support. Her efforts led to a refund of over £2,100, demonstrating the impact of proactive financial guidance.

Ester said: “As a Mental Health First Aider, recent training has helped to strengthen my skills when supporting our customers who communicate a mental health need. As part of my job role, I build up close relationships with our customers and am fortunate enough for customers to feel they can talk to me. I am able to listen, support and advise accordingly, signposting customers where needed. At the recent Mental Health First Aider training, we learned of an app called Hub of Hope. This sources local support based on your location and the support need and is a just another tool I can use when sourcing help for mental health.”