UK
Following on from very positive feedback from its first sessions, the Textile Services Association (TSA) continues to champion the importance of mental health in the laundry industry by continuing its programme of training aimed at helping develop awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
The first course of 2023 took place on the 23-24 of January and was aimed at providing line managers with an understanding of common mental health issues, and the knowledge they need to feel confident about advocating for mental health issues. Attendees were also shown how to spot signs of mental ill health as well as skills to support positive wellbeing. All participants qualify as Mental Health First Aid Champions upon completion. The course was sold out very quickly, demonstrating the interest the laundry industry has in driving improvements in this area.
That course will be followed up with another chance to take the Mental Health First Aider course. This will be aimed at providing information and building confidence to help with identifying mental health issues and helping anyone experiencing them to get the help they need, as well as ways to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. “The TSA feels it is vitally important that it supports its members to help ensure their employees mental health is looked after,” said David Stevens, CEO of the TSA. “It’s brilliant that we now have more qualified mental health first aiders in the industry, and we hope more companies will be inspired to join this initiative.”
Any TSA member interested in attending the next one is advised to register their interest now to ensure they are informed when bookings open.
Feedback from attendees from the first two courses held in 2022 was overwhelmingly positive. Responses included: “I now feel confident to approach someone who I feel may be struggling,” and: “It taught me skills that will allow me to assist or guide someone in difficulty.”
“The enthusiasm for these courses is a concrete demonstration of the laundry industry’s commitment to driving improvements in inclusion and wellbeing,” said Stevens. “The industry is rightly proud of its successes in building out ways of supporting its employees, and the TSA will continue to find ways of providing the training and skills they need to continue doing so. We feel with the cost of living crisis and other pressures people are facing that this is more important than ever.”
For more information about future training events and to secure your place please visit the TSA’s website www.tsa-uk.org.
