As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Aico is continuing to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health through its dedicated workplace programme.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a national campaign to achieve change, fairness and respect surrounding mental health. The campaign is taking place from the 10-16 May, and in support Aico will champion the ‘Take 10 Minutes to Talk’ initiative launched by the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) to encourage colleagues to talk about their mental health.
Mental health awareness is an important subject for Aico, and the company strives to support its employees through its dedicated Mental Health Programme. Aico has four staff members who are trained Mental Health First Aiders for the business and provide support for colleagues. The team delivers monthly presentations to their colleagues, discussing topics such as financial wellbeing, caring for elderly relatives and staying healthy.
The Mental Health Programme at Aico also encourages open conversations surrounding mental health, demonstrating the progressive, positive culture of the workplace. In a recent presentation, Owen Terry, a Technical Advisor for Aico, shared his own mental health experiences and the benefits of speaking to someone.
Owen comments, “Talking openly about my experiences to my colleagues has been a massive benefit and has helped me overcome what I have been through and get over that last hurdle. Being able to challenge the stigma behind men’s mental health, showing that men also do suffer and that speaking to someone, either friend, family or work colleague can be life-changing.”
Recently, Aico has signed a Mental Health Charter, created by The Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and Merulae, an organisation specialising in training, counselling and psychotherapy. Aico encourages Shropshire businesses to sign the Charter and make a pledge to recognise the importance of promoting good mental health and improving the wellbeing of colleagues, which is beneficial to organisations, employers and the business community of Shropshire.
