Meet our Mind Health Champions: Kyle

As we enter National Stress Week, we caught up with one of our 12 in-house Mind Health Champions, Kyle. We spoke to Kyle about the impact of having this initiative available at CarFinance 247 and why he is so passionate about working with people who may be struggling day-to-day.

How would you explain mental health first aid to people?

Mind health first aid, in many regards, is no different to being a general first aider, in that if you see someone requiring support, you  approach them and try to help.

The more challenging aspect is that with mental first aid, it’s more difficult to see when an individual needs help opposed to a standard first aider where there may be a physical injury.

What made you want to become a Mind Health Champion?

There are individuals close to me, both family and friends, who have suffered from mental health illnesses, and I felt that having more of an awareness of the signs that people are perhaps struggling with their mental health may have helped me to spot them and help them sooner.

On a personal note, I have at times faced challenges with my own mental health, especially during recent lockdowns where I have found myself feeling low and the training  provided techniques that can help me in the future too.

Do you believe that the scheme has made a positive impact on CarFinance247?

There are 12 mental health first aiders across the business. With the last year and a half being so challenging, many people who have felt isolated working from home are now coming back in to the office. It’s great to have a number of people around the office who can support individuals and potentially spot anyone who is struggling with their mental health.

What is your advice for someone who needs to talk about how they are feeling?

I would always encourage them to try and speak to an individual they trust or a mental health first aider. However, I know from personal experience that when I am feeling down, I keep myself to myself or just try and act like everything is okay when it really isn’t.

I would say the onus is on all of us to look out for our colleagues and friends in the same way we would go and ask someone with a cut or broken bone if they’re okay we should do the same for those who are struggling with their mental health. If you spot a change in behaviour of a colleague of friend whether they be quieter than normal or louder than normal, have a conversation with them in private to just make sure they’re okay, it could make the world of difference to them.