Championing Mental Health in the Workplace

30 April 2021: As part of its ongoing commitment to health and wellness, Aramark Northern Europe is introducing Mental Health Champions as a go-to support for anyone in the workplace struggling with mental health difficulties. The champions will support the entire UK, Ireland, and Global Offshore business under the Aramark Northern Europe structure.

Following on from Aramark’s annual mental health campaign, TAKE15, employees were asked to register their interest in becoming a Mental Health Champion and over 40 employees have now been trained to provide peer-to-peer support to colleagues struggling with their mental health. Aramark’s Mental Health Champions are employees who are passionate about challenging stigma and discrimination around mental health in the workplace.

Their role is to talk to those in the business who are struggling with their mental health and signpost them to the most appropriate support and help. They will promote positive mental health, take action to raise awareness of mental health problems amongst staff, challenge mental health stigma, and provide peer support to colleagues.

Elbha Purcell, Director of Dietetics & Wellbeing, Aramark Northern Europe commented: “As part of our ongoing commitment to health and wellness, where mental health and physical health are valued equally, we are delighted to be able to introduce our Mental Health Champions to the business.”

“The coronavirus pandemic has had a massive impact on everyone’s lives following huge shifts in the ways that people live and work. As a result, there has been an understandable knock-on effect when it comes to people’s mental health. As more businesses start to return to their offices, we need to consider how the working environment can support staff and improve their mental health. We know it can be hard to start the conversation but speaking to a peer who has been trained with the necessary skills can have a very positive impact.”

All Mental Health Champions have been trained in mental health awareness by Connect 2 care and will have set Continual Professional Development (CPD) training sessions monthly. There will be separate supports available to them, including fortnightly Take15 sessions/breaks.

The Mental Health Champions are being introduced in conjunction with Ibec’s Workplace Wellbeing Day in Ireland and ahead of Mental Health Week in the UK, taking place on the 10^th – 16^th May, which Aramark will be supporting through a variety of additional activities to further raise awareness. 

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Workplace Wellbeing Day took place on April 30^th. It is run and supported by Ibec, Ireland’s largest business representative group, and encourages companies to focus on social, physical, and mental wellbeing.

About Aramark Northern Europe

Aramark is a leading service provider operating on behalf of clients across the EMEA region, in partnership with some of the world’s best-known brands. Aramark employs over 16,000 people throughout Northern Europe. The Aramark mission to deliver experiences that enrich and nourish lives aligns with a long-standing commitment to advance sustainable practices that minimise impacts to people, animals, and the environment.

Follow Aramark NE on Twitter: @AramarkNE and on Instagram: @aramark_ne