Real estate firm Harcourts Australia has unveiled a new Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) initiative.
The prgram is a crucial step in creating a workplace culture where talking openly about mental health is encouraged.
Mitch Green, who heads up Harcourts’ people and culture, said “We talk about wellness all the time, we promote paying attention to it and working on it, but we could do a better job of equipping our team to handle the times when someone needs help. That’s what this initiative does.”
Several members have completed accredited training, equipping them to provide initial support to colleagues experiencing mental health challenges.
The role of a Mental Health First Aider is not to counsel or provide theapy, it is to act as a link to professional help.
MHFA responsibilities include listening without judgment, providing information on internal resources like the Employee Assistance Program, and encouraging other supports such as self-care strategies.
