Harris Associates Makes Workplace Wellbeing a priority with their first Mental Health First Aider

Published: 28/06/2023

Chioma Ibe, Head of Marketing and Research at Harris Associates has become their first Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) after recently undertaking a Mental Health training programme with Mental Health First Aid England.

Compared to other industries, the built environment industry often creates a variety of extra pressures due to time-sensitive projects, labour shortages and inflated material costs. In addition to this, the current cost of living crisis and residual pressures of the pandemic means that now is a more difficult time for some people’s mental health and wellbeing.

The sector is becoming more diverse and changing however men still struggle to talk about their mental health with research showing that around one in eight men have a common mental health issue like depression, anxiety or OCD and men are three times as likely to take their own life.

Harris Associates’ Approach to Wellbeing

Harris Associates knew that they had a responsibility to create a wellbeing strategy that caters for the team’s mental as well as physical health and is trying to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.  The company has a comprehensive private healthcare package and employee assistance programme which offers 24/7 support and counselling to their team. Now with the addition of the first of many MHFaiders with the skills and knowledge to spot the signs of mental ill health among their colleagues, this will enable them to offer support and signpost them to further help.

Chioma said, “The training I have undertaken has been invaluable in providing me with the tools and framework needed to be able to navigate this important yet sensitive issue and I now feel equipped to be able to approach and assist the team if and when required."