Watford MP backs campaign for workplace mental health first aiders
The campaign wants everyone in a workplace to have access to a mental health first aider
A Hertfordshire MP is backing Greatest Hits Radio's 'Where's Your Head At' campaign - which is calling for mental health first aiders in all workplaces.
Watford MP Dean Russell is now due to debate the idea in a second parliamentary reading.
The 'Where's Your Head At?' campaign was launched in May 2018, and secured more than 200,000 signatures from people demanding the law was changed so every workplace has designated workers trained in supporting people struggling with their mental health.
Trained staff would not be expected to offer specific treatment, instead they could offer support and signposting to wider services for colleagues who are struggling with issues like anxiety, grief or depression.
By January 2019, the issue was being debated in Parliament for the first time, receiving cross-party support from MPs.
A change in the law
Skip forward to 2021, and the issue was raised again by Watford MP Dean Russell in a 10 minute rule motion.
He was named as 'Where's Your Head At?' ambassador ahead of his first speech on the issue:
Back in Parliament
On Wednesday it'll receive a Second Reading - the next stage to it becoming law.
MPs on all sides will get chance to debate some of the issues contained in the Bill, and a vote takes place. If it gets through that stage, it moves on to what's called the "Committee Stage" where MPs debate it line by line, and look to make amendments.
If all that goes according to plan, it'll then receive a Third Reading in Parliament, before being passed on to the House of Lords for it to be ratified.
"It's the right thing to do"
Dean told us: "The excellent work of Where's Your Head At? and people like (WYHA Ambassador) Natasha Devon highlights to me that there is a real willingness of businesses and individuals within the workforce to support mental health first aid in the workplace, to make sure the opportunities are there for support, and to create a happy, healthy workplace.
"But also because in the current era, where people are more mindful of the need for mental health and wellbeing it's just the right thing to do.
"It's about parity between mental health and physical health. If you cut your finger, you would know to go to a first aider, and they'd know what the best next step was.
"Mental Health first aid in the workplace is just about making sure there's somebody there so that should somebody need extra support, guidance or signposting if they're having a challenging time they can go to that person."
Find out more about the Where's Your Head At journey so far