Last week, after completing an intense but brilliant two day course with Tom Ross from Mental Health First Aid England, I became a qualified Mental Health First Aider.

Mental health is an issue that is very close to my heart and I am proud to be one of the 32 qualified Mental Health First Aiders at Jackson Lees Group. Knowing how to help someone who is struggling is something that is very important to me, to the other people who were on the course and our business as a whole.

As a society, we're making slow progress in breaking down the stigma attached to mental health but there is still so much work to be done. I feel both proud and lucky to be a part of a business that is so invested in the wellbeing of its people.

One of the many things I took away from the course was considering the process when we ask someone if they are ok. Do we actually stop to listen to the answer? Or, do we say hello and ask how someone is as we walk past quickly, rushing to our next meeting? The next time you ask if someone is ok, be prepared to listen to their answer. I think as humans we sometimes live our lives at such a fast pace that we forget the art of meaningful conversation. Simple conversations with family, friends, colleagues and everyone else we encounter throughout our lives can be the most important. 

On Thursday 21st February we then delivered a Jackson Lees Group Training Academy course, 'Dealing with Emotional Cases'. Our people deal with so many difficult and upsetting cases everyday that we need to be well equipped to correctly look after our clients and ourselves. Seeing so many different faces from across all of our departments and offices come together speaking so passionately about the people we represent was inspiring and moving forward, with 32 Mental Health First Aiders, we can better support our staff who can then better support our clients.

I am honoured to be a Mental Health First Aider. Mental health is something we need to keep the conversation going about after all, remember, it's good to talk.