Fix Auto UK has launched a major new initiative to support colleagues overcome mental health challenges.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Fix Auto has announced that every repair centre in its network will train at least one person to be a qualified mental health first aider.
The initiative is being led by Regional Business Manager Carl Norton, who has undergone the training himself to become the network’s first official Mental Health First Aid Trainer. A further 14 colleagues from within Fix Auto UK will now start their own training.
Norton said, “Mental ill health can strike at any time and can affect any one of us. But the reality is we don’t tend to know how to take care of our mental health, or even identify when someone is suffering with it.
“The course is all about educating people on how to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health issue. You simply learn how to recognise warning signs of mental ill health and develop the skills and confidence to approach and support someone while keeping yourself safe.”
Ian Pugh, Managing Director for Fix Auto UK, added, “The statistics whereby people of all ages suffer with mental illness are alarming. We have duty of care to all we can to help one another and for me, this is an absolute essential element of it.
“Our goal is to ensure every franchise partner along with the head office operation has at least one certified mental health first aider. Yes, we could have employed a company or an individual to be a mental health first aider trainer to ensure everyone within the entire network is supported, but it was obvious to sponsor Carl through the course so we have someone within our own ranks to ensure it will be a continual process.”
