Sandra completes Scotland mental health first aid course

Sandra Davidson completes Scotland's mental health first aid course. This course provides training on mental health problems, outlining some of the symptoms, effects of mental health and how Sandra can help if a member of the Little Beehive team requires support. Sandra decided to embark on this course in order to promote a positive mental health message.

In an article published by the telegraph in 2018, they explain that for the first time, work-related stress, anxiety or depression accounts for over half of all working days lost due to ill health. Furthermore, workers in the education and social work careers the most at risk, a statistic that we were shocked by. This prompted us to set out a pathway that will help support our team as much as possible.

“We were shocked when we read the article, it was passed around the head office, and everyone had the same reaction, and that we had to do something about it. It makes our hearts sink to think that we previously may not have been doing enough. However, we are hopefully on the right path to combat this issue now.”

SMHFA is a 12-hour course that can be completed in two full days or split across six two hour sessions. Participants will develop skills in asking the appropriate questions, listening without judgment and giving guidance where appropriate.

“I wasn’t too sure how I would take the course, I have done my practical first aid for as long as I can remember. However mental health is something I have not looked into too much” Sandra commented.

“I am very glad I have completed the course, it has opened my eyes to the many issues that otherwise may have gone unnoticed, the childcare industry can be very difficult and overwhelming from time to time. If you combine this with other issues it can lead to poor mental health. However, I aim to tackle this with my new found knowledge and insight into mental health.”

Sandra now hosts one on one meetings with members of the little beehive team who have either contacted her about their mental health or whom she thinks may benefit from the one on one time.

“It is important for us to make sure all of the little beehive team feel supported in whatever they may come up against. With the introduction of the free sanitary products, healthy working lives and now Sandra's qualification with SMHFA, we feel we are breaking down barriers for the team to allow them to work with as few concerns or barriers as possible” Carol (Director)