Empowering Mental Health Conversations as a Certified Mental Health First Aider
As we recognise World Mental Health Day on 10th October, we sit down with Rachel Bridle, Regional Supervisor for the Deployment team at Enterprise Flex-E-Rent and a dedicated Mental Health First Aider (MHFA), who recently completed her MHFA training. We delve into her experiences, the skills she's developed, and how she has applied her newfound knowledge to make a positive impact on her colleagues' mental wellbeing.
“I went into the course thinking I had a lot of knowledge about mental health, but I quickly realised that I didn't”
First of all, tell me about the Mental Health training that you went through. Was it what you were expecting?
The training was brilliant. I had my doubts to start with because it was an online course, and I wasn't sure how much I could take away from it. However, Jane, the course leader, was fantastic. There were plenty of opportunities to actively participate in role plays and group discussions, but absolutely no pressure to discuss anything you weren't comfortable with. I went into the course thinking I had a lot of knowledge about mental health, but I quickly realised that I didn't. I thought we would just discuss certain aspects of mental health, like how to help someone feeling sad. I didn't expect to cover so many topics I'd never thought about in relation to poor mental health. I came away with a completely different outlook on many things, including discussions we have in everyday life and the language we use.
Why did you want to become an MHFA?
I have worked in the automotive industry for the last 16 years, and I have observed people around me, especially my male colleagues, silently suffering because they didn't want to open up. I have always been there to provide a friendly ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on, but it would get to a certain point where I wouldn't know the best way to support them. I wanted to learn the answers to give them, how I could provide advice and guidance. As an MHFA, you are someone they need to be able to trust, and you need to be non-judgmental and understanding. These are all qualities I have, and it made perfect sense to gain the skills to become one.
Talk to me about the skills you developed and how they helped you with a recent employee.
One significant thing I learned during the training is not to compare someone's problems to your own. I am guilty of doing this in the past, or saying things like "it could have been worse" or "this could have happened". I learned to sit and listen to everything they have to say without constantly adding my own thoughts to it in order to truly understand. Being able to read their emotions and recognise when they are shutting down from talking to you is crucial. Letting them know that what they've been through is frightening but that you are there for them is essential. The last thing people need is for you to dismiss what they are saying.
We recently had a situation in one of our workshops where an agency driver suffered a medical emergency. Following this incident, one of our own employees needed someone to talk to about the situation. I quickly noticed and was on hand to talk through what they needed and provide advice on how to cope with their own feelings in situations like this. I aimed to be a friendly face for them to open up to.
“Giving someone your full attention is a small yet significant step in getting someone to open up to you and can help build trust”
How do you think the training helped you do things differently than how you might have dealt with that scenario before?
It’s about having a better understanding of how to communicate with people. Ensuring that you are giving them your full attention, without distractions like phones, is crucial. I initially thought that as a home worker, I wouldn't have anyone reach out to me, but it's actually been quite the opposite. Giving someone your full attention is a small yet significant step in getting someone to open up to you and can help build trust. I have integrated this into my everyday life now.
I have also become more mindful of the language I use. There are common everyday phrases we use without considering how much pain or distress they might cause someone unintentionally. I now think more about what I say to people. For example, instead of saying "You've gone OCD on this spreadsheet" or "It's mental in here today," I choose my words more carefully.
Similarly, when employees do not have their camera on during a group call, I avoid calling them out publicly but speak with them privately afterward. It might be nothing, but it could also be something worth checking in on.
What is the biggest takeaway now that you have used your MHFA skills with someone?
Everything I learned on the course has been a takeaway for me. I've learned that when I'm talking to people and notice that they aren't themselves, I should ask them if they are okay. We are often quick as a society to move on to the next thing, but stopping and asking if someone is okay can change someone's entire outlook on life. Another important lesson is that not everybody wants your help. I'm not a trained medical professional; I am there for guidance and support, and people need to come to me on their own terms.
Would you recommend MHFA training to others, and if so, why?
Absolutely. Suicide is a significant contributor to deaths in the UK, especially among men. The more people we have involved in supporting mental health, the better. It helps in so many ways, whether it's the mental health of the people around you or your own. There is so much to learn, and it encourages us to do things differently. The course has benefited me, my family, and my colleagues at work. It's a fantastic feeling when you see people making progress after they've opened up and talked about their struggles.
If you are interested in a career with Enterprise, please visit our recruitment website at careers.enterprise.co.uk
