First aid for mental health in the food sector
In today’s volatile food sector, it is becoming ever more important for businesses to support colleagues who might be experiencing a mental health issue at work. Being adequately trained in first aid is one thing, but it’s important to recognize that it is an evolving topic and one that involves continuous education. Smaller food businesses in particular are often not equipped to deal with mental health concerns in the workplace. Whether that is someone suffering from emotional distress, identifying colleagues that may be at a higher risk of mental health difficulties, or those who have already experienced mental health concerns, it’s becoming important from a day-to-day perspective to give the people around you the support they need.
Businesses in the food sector cover a wealth of specialisms and job roles, but one commonality is busy schedules and the conflicting demands and deadlines that come with that. Whether you are on the factory floor or on a boardroom conference call, the days can be long and the responsibilities numerous. Given the food sector serves a global customer base, the need for efficiency and stability is vital. Struggles with mental health can have a huge impact on motivation, productivity, attendance and workplace relationships, and if any of these are not functioning properly, it puts profitability and reputation at risk.
Checking in
With busy schedules, long hours and conflicting priorities, it is easy for businesses to forget to check in with their people. If teams are able to identify colleagues who may need support with their mental health at an early stage, and signpost them to the best place for help and guidance, then absence, low motivation and productivity can be avoided or at least reduced. Busy, fast-paced kitchens can be stressful environments with long hours, lack of resource and a raft of expectations coming from multiple directions whether that is driven by management or customers. Of course, working in the food sector is not for the faint-hearted, it is both mentally and physically demanding, and traditionally there has been an assumption within the sector that hospitality is about ‘hard graft’ and that people simply have to ‘get on with it’. Yet this outdated perception can quickly create an unhealthy working environment leaving employees prone to burn out and mental health issues.
Providing your workforce with tips and tricks on how to manage stress, finding coping mechanisms that work to remove anxieties and creating a workplace culture that looks after employees’ mental wellbeing, will help teams to function better and attract and retain the best people. As a sector we are beginning to understand health in a more holistic way. In the same way that first aid training allows us to recognize and respond to injury and illness, mental health first aid (MHFA) teaches the skills needed to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of low mental wellbeing and common mental health problems.
For example, instead of learning the recovery position and how to treat burns and cuts, MHFA teaches us how to provide initial support for someone struggling with their emotional wellbeing, such as depression or anxiety, and also how to signpost them towards appropriate professional help. This is done through active and empathetic listening, being non-judgmental and being confident in knowing how and where they can be referred for more specific intervention, if needed.
Barriers and stigma
The main barrier to mental health support is the taboo nature and the stigma attached to it. Even though society is becoming more aware of what mental health is and how to look after it, there is still a sense of shame surrounding asking for help and a reluctance to discuss it. With physical first aid the help can often be delivered with more immediacy, with clean results and evidence of intervention. With mental health it could be a long process, so communication and empathy are needed; skills that are not often given the respect in business that they deserve. For mental health there is no one simple answer and supporting colleagues requires long-term commitment which can feel daunting, especially for fast paced businesses looking for immediate results.
Add to this the battle of rising costs, stretched budgets and lack of resource, it is easy to see why the industry might avoid taking more tasks on. Yet the sector is
still suffering with low morale and poor retention rates, which usually leads to a huge number of employees struggling with mental health. On the flipside, the sector is also well known for its great sense of camaraderie and successful food businesses will have created a family environment where everyone looks out for each other. It is this connection that food businesses can draw upon because they will know people well on a personal level and might be able to spot if someone is struggling, which is an asset.
For these businesses, with the right training, they will be able to approach team members in the right way as they have a strong relationship already. More structured methods of approaching employees during team talks and appraisals for instance, are good, but ultimately it needs to feel like a safe space that is approachable for team members who want to talk.
Signposting not diagnosing
Having a named mental health first aider onsite who mirrors the physical first aider and fire marshals etc. in terms of designated responsibilities, is a good starting point. Immediately it demonstrates that the business is being proactive in addressing mental health concerns and that proper training has been provided. It also provides clear boundaries around what the mental health first aider can/can’t and will/won’t do, which manages people’s expectations and protects all parties. Essentially, it means people understand they are there to signpost, not diagnose or solve all problems. It also provides a safe place for people who may not feel able to confide in their manager or other colleagues and is a step towards nurturing a more open and supportive culture.
As well as having some form of ongoing assessment to check and update learning as well as help the first aider to retain important information, MHFA training courses should include aspects such as:
- What is mental health?
- What is MHFA and what are the roles of a mental health first aider?
- How to listen actively, non-judgmentally and with empathy
- How to start a conversation about mental health
- How to spot signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions (CMHCs) including stress, depression and anxiety
- The impact of drugs and alcohol
- What advice to provide and what to avoid
- How and where to signpost for further help and support
- How to create and maintain a positive mental health culture in the workplace
- How to create a First Aid for Mental Health Action plan
Recognize and respond
Working in a safe environment, both physically and mentally, is important for mental wellbeing. Being listened to and understood, not judged, can also have an incredible impact on working relationships. This, in turn, makes a business a more desirable place to work. There are many benefits to being able to support people at work with their mental health, whether that is boosting employee wellbeing, communication, motivation, attendance and productivity, as failing to recognize and respond to these issues can make things worse for an employee. Organizations can even open themselves up to expensive and time-consuming compensation claims. Having trained first aiders can help avoid these claims and other HR issues by addressing the possible triggers and ultimately contributing to a culture where employees feel valued and listened to.
For a list of the sources used in this article, please contact the editor.
By Jenn Harris
Jenn Harris is Managing Director at BSC Education. BSC Education provides transformational education and training experiences globally, to young learners aged eight to 17 years, as well as to adult learners across several professional disciplines. With five city-based UK colleges in London, Brighton, York, Manchester and Edinburgh and two overseas colleges in Bangkok and shortly Malta, BSC Education provides the steppingstones needed to upskill, change lives and boost future opportunities. Recognized and accredited by the British Council, the organization is known for its expertise in English Language Training courses and Professional Development. BSC Education boasts a portfolio of world-leading partnerships including Manchester City Football School, Kings College London, Sylvia Young Theatre School and The British Esports Federation. BSC Education also provides a suite of teacher training courses which are quality assured and assessed by Cambridge English.