Apollo Roofing Solutions, part of the Apollo Group, a privately-owned liquid adhesive, sealant coating and primer manufacturer, is to appoint ten new mental health first aiders as part of its ongoing health and wellbeing support for employees.
This latest announcement coincides with ‘World Mental Health Day’ which takes place on October 10, highlighting the need to raise awareness and remove the stigma associated with mental health.
Commenting on this latest move, Ian Cornelius, managing director of Apollo, said: “Our employees are our most valued asset and providing an enjoyable and supportive working environment for them is of paramount importance. Training colleagues across the business to become mental health first aiders demonstrates that our support goes much further than simply providing the necessary tools for the job and having the right health and safety policies in place.
“A productive workforce is one that has fulfilling roles and positive mental health and general wellbeing. However, we all know that sometimes things can get on top of us, be it work, health concerns or relationship issues. Whatever it might be, we want our employees to feel comfortable asking for support if they need it. Not everyone will have the courage to seek help and that’s why we are training some of our colleagues to have the skills to recognise when someone might need support too.”
Ten Apollo colleagues are preparing to take part in a two-day Adult Mental Health First Aid course delivered by St John Ambulance. The course will provide the trainees with a deep understanding of what mental health is and what factors can affect wellbeing. The course teaches practical skills to spot the signs of mental illness and the confidence to step in and support a person who needs assistance.
This latest training initiative follows the recent introduction of Apollo’s ‘Employee Assist Programme’ (EAP). EAP is an employee benefit providing support for employees with personal or professional problems, which could be affecting their home or work life, health and general wellbeing. EAP is provided by a third-party offering confidential support, information services and counselling if required.
