Mental wellbeing: strength in numbers

As part of our Positive Impact Report, we spoke to Buttress associate David Coulson about his mental health first-aider training and the importance of prioritising wellbeing in the workplace.

The greater the challenge, the more there is a need to counterbalance it with support and resources. When the pressure is on, or indeed, whenever someone needs help, we enable our people to prioritise accessing the help they need. One resource is our team of mental health first aiders.

Associate David Coulson is one of our trained mental health first aiders. Together they are available to talk to when things start to get too much.

“Societal pressures and personal issues can easily creep into our professional lives, so it is important that we are given the freedom to keep a check on our mental well-being and can reach out to talk to someone who is trained to listen and help – and we offer that at Buttress.” David Coulson

David is the most recent member to join the group, alongside Grace Avery, Edward Kepczyk, Georgia Rose-Garside and Chithra Marsh, having undertaken a course through Manchester First Aid Training. The course covers subjects including how to respond to alcoholism, drugs, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, suicide, personality disorders, schizophrenia and self-harm and looks at recommendations on how to make the workplace compassionate and supportive.

The team of mental health first aiders: whether through informal chats, messages or offering a structured pathway of where to seek further help, are there to provide a safe space for colleagues to seek support without judgement.  As our studios continue to grow, the power of shared experiences and a mutual support network strengthens the fabric of the company.