Mental Health First Aiders

Did you know that the University has a group of trained Mental Health First Aiders who you can contact for support, in exactly the same way as you would contact a First Aider if you were to have an accident or injury at work.

The role of the Mental Health First Aiders is to recognise mental ill health and help people find the support they need to stay well. They strive to achieve the University of Lincoln’s ambitions of creating an inclusive culture, whereby attitudes and behaviours to mental ill health are not stigmatised, and staff feel able to talk about their mental health without fear of repercussion or judgement. To ultimately create an environment where everyone has the skills to look after their own and others’ wellbeing.

Mental Health First Aiders can
– Understand the important factors affecting mental ill health
– Identify the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions
– Listen non-judgementally and hold supportive conversations
– Signpost you to professional help and ongoing support

Mental Health First Aiders cannot
– Diagnose mental health conditions
– Provide therapy or counselling
– Provide an ongoing support service
– Provide an emergency or out of hours service

For more information about who our Mental Health First Aiders are please visit the portal site: https://hr.lincoln.ac.uk/wellbeing/mental-wellbeing/mental-health-first-aiders/.

Story submitted by Joanne Wilkinson
jwilkinson@lincoln.ac.uk