Mental Health Champion Network
Our Commitment to Staff Health & Wellbeing
At Edinburgh Napier we are committed to ensuring our workplace is an inclusive, safe and supportive environment where health and wellbeing is at the heart of our culture.
The Health and Wellbeing plan outlines our commitment to creating a working environment where staff feel that they can openly discuss their health and wellbeing and can access the right support at the right time.
Given the potential negative consequences that poor mental health can have for learning, for working and for life in general, the wellbeing of our university community is an important issue we should all play our part in supporting.
Mental Health Champion Network
In May 2020 we were pleased to launch the Mental Health Champions Network. Our trained Mental Health Champions are a point of contact for colleagues who are experiencing mental health issues or are in emotional distress, helping them get the appropriate support they need as quickly as possible.
All of our Champions have undertaken the Scottish Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) and/or the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Course and any colleague wishing to become a Champion must undertake one of these courses.
We are looking to build the Network numbers so if are trained already and wish to join the network, please let the Capability & Engagement Team know. We also have a waiting list of colleagues who wish to undertake the Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training and we can add colleagues to this list. To add your name to the list please contact the Capability & Engagement Team.
What is Mental Health First Aid Training?
Mental Health First Aid, like any other type of first aid, is the help given to a person before appropriative professional help or treatment can be obtained. The Scottish Mental Health First Aid course does not teach people to be counsellors or therapists. Its trains people in;
• How to recognise the signs of mental health problems or distress
• How to ask about suicide
• How to provide initial help
• How to guide a person towards appropriate professional help
Our Champions also have the opportunity to take part in monthly Peer Support sessions to help them refresh their training and build their confidence for supporting colleagues who may approach them seeing advice.
How to recognise a Mental Health Champion?
We have Mental Health Champions based at each campus and you can find names and contact details from this list. The Champions have added to their signature line that they are a Mental Health Champion, and some have added the green ribbon mental health symbol as their email icon so they are easily identifiable.
To meet a few of our Mental Health Champions please click on this link, and you will hear what a positive attitude to mental health in the workplace means to them, why being a trained mental health first aider is important and why they decided to become a Champion.
Mental Health Champion Remit
Our Champions follow a remit when they become a Champion which helps them recognise their responsibilities and their boundaries.
If you wish further information about the role of a Mental Health Champion or have comments and ideas, please contact the Capability & Engagement Team.