ScotRail has announced it will train more than 50 staff in mental health first aid.
The training, which is accredited by the NHS, is designed to help employees identify people who may require assistance and guide them towards the appropriate support services.
The programme, which involves instruction on listening, reassuring and asking about suicide where appropriate, has already been completed by some Scotrail staff.
The announcement followed the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, which began yesterday.
ScotRail occupational health manager Nadya Kuhl said that “ScotRail is absolutely committed to providing appropriate support for mental health issues and the introduction of mental health first aiders will enhance what we can deliver for our own people and customers,” adding that the rail provider was well aware of “the importance of engaging and identifying the signs of someone in need of support and how critical this can be to helping with treatment, and ultimately saving lives.”
“If even just one person who is going through a difficult time gets the help they need, then it will be worthwhile,” she added.
Tom Scott from See Me, which aims to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination, urged other employers to ensure staff are supported in the workplace.
Scott said: “There is a significant problem with people in Scotland being able to speak openly about their mental health, especially at work. We want organisations to create cultures that are open in talking about mental health and where discriminatory behaviour is challenged,” he said.
“It’s great to see the action that ScotRail are taking to give their staff the confidence and knowledge to have open and supportive conversations on mental health. We have been working with them for the past few months and this is one of a number of things the company has done to challenge stigma and improve cultures for both their staff and their customers.
“When someone is struggling with their mental health, they deserve help and compassion, and we would urge all workplaces to ensure that their staff feel confident and able to speak about mental health.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article