As part of his drive to improve the mental health and wellbeing
of all Londoners, the Mayor today took part in a Mental Health
First Aid training session and called on all employers to make
mental health training programmes available to their staff.
Sadiq’s deputy mayors joined him for the training session at City
Hall, which is designed to equip them with the skills to
recognise if a colleague, friend or family member is struggling
with a mental health issue and be able to offer appropriate
support.
Research reveals that Londoners report a lower level of life
satisfaction, wellbeing and feeling of self-worth than the
national average1 and every week, more than 14 Londoners take
their own lives2. In the UK, approximately one in four people
will experience a mental health problem each year3 and suicide is
the leading cause of death in people aged between 15 and 24 and
the biggest killer of men under 494. Mental ill-health also costs
UK businesses £26 billion per year5 and is the leading cause of
sickness-related absence6.
The Mayor has vowed to help improve the mental health of all
Londoners and is encouraging employers to make mental health
training programmes available to their staff. Through the
training, Sadiq hopes to reduce the impact of mental health
problems in the workplace, equip front-line staff to recognise
mental health issues in members of the public and reduce the
overall stigma associated with individuals talking about their
mental health to their peers.
The Mayor is responsible for Transport for London, whose workers
are regularly offered mental health and trauma support training
to enable them to offer support to their colleagues and
passengers on the network.
The Mayor is also calling on all employers to sign up to his
Healthy Workplace Charter, which provides businesses with a range
of tools to support staff health and wellbeing.
The Mayor of London, , said: “I’ve long said that
mental health is of paramount importance, which is why I’m
leading by example and taking part today in Mental Health First
Aid training alongside members of my team at City Hall.
“Poor mental health can affect anyone at any time. It’s vital
that we all work together to improve the mental health of
Londoners and reduce stigma – and employers have a big part to
play.
“I want London to become a more open and tolerant place where
people can speak openly about their mental health and the support
they need. We need to ensure businesses and staff members across
the city can recognise the signs that their friends, colleagues
or customers might be experiencing poor mental health and are
equipped with the skills to support them.”
Today’s training at City Hall was carried out by Poppy Jaman, CEO
of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England. In total, 1,300
instructors from MHFA England have delivered courses to over
200,000 people. MHFA England has an ambition to train one in ten
people across England in Mental Health First Aid skills.
Poppy Jaman, CEO Mental Health First Aid England and City Mental
Health Alliance, said: “By personally undertaking a Mental Health
First Aid course, the Mayor and his team are sending out a strong
message that mental health is everyone’s business. We are already
working with a large number of employers across the City to
ensure that leaders, managers and staff are trained to offer
initial support to someone experiencing a mental health issue and
we fully support the Mayor’s commitment to make London a more
mentally healthy place to work and live.”
Dr Tom Coffey OBE, Mayoral Health Advisor, said: “I’m delighted
that the Mayor has taken a lead in showing Londoners that poor
mental health isn’t something to be ashamed of and that we can
all play our part in improving the mental wellbeing of others in
the capital. I hope this leads to employers across the city
signing up to make Mental Health First Aid training available to
their staff and reducing the stigma associated with talking about
mental health.”
Sadiq recently launched Thrive LDN, a city-wide movement to
improve Londoners’ mental health and wellbeing and to challenge
stigma. The Mayor joined forces with over 200 experts, voluntary,
public and private organisations, clinicians and academics to
spearhead this campaign that will support Londoners to lead
healthier, happier lives. Better mental health for all Londoners
was also marked as a priority in the Mayor’s draft Health
Inequality Strategy, which is currently out for consultation.
